Barrier system

ABSTRACT

A barrier system includes at least first and second reinforced concrete posts, each concrete post including at least one conduit formed therethrough having first and second ends and a strain relief sector formed therein at the first end of the conduit. At least one tension cable extends between the posts. The tension cable extends through the conduit of each post and has a cable end secured to the post at the second end of each post&#39;s conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/709,584 entitled “Barrier System”, filed on Feb. 22, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,206,056 which issues on Jun. 26, 2012, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.11/761,072, entitled “Barrier System”, filed on Jun. 11, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,942,602 issued on May 17, 2011, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/812,801, filed Jun. 12, 2006, theentirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a barrier system. More particularly, theinvention relates to a vehicle and pedestrian barrier system which canbe positioned in vehicle and pedestrian passageways adjacent a protectedstructure or area to preclude the vehicle or the pedestrian fromreaching and engaging the protected structure or area.

For some time, terrorists and insurgents have used various types ofvehicles to transport explosives, and other destructive substances, intoa position adjacent, or literally into, a normally-secured or unsecuredstructure, whereby the explosives are detonated in some fashion todestroy or damage the structures, and injure or kill occupants therein.Recently, pedestrians, such as the so-called “suicide bombers,” haveliterally strapped explosives to their body, walked into a target area,and detonated the body-carried explosives, thereby killing themselves aswell as destroying or damaging structures, and injuring or killingpeople, in the target area.

In recent years, barriers have been strategically placed to prevent suchexplosive-laden vehicles and pedestrians from being placed sufficientlyclose to, or driven directly into, such structures for the purpose ofexplosive destruction of the structure, and potential injury or death ofthe occupants.

While worth-while vehicle barrier systems have been devised in recentyears, some of these systems are not readily portable, use elaborate andcomplex barrier structure, and/or require major alteration in theground-surface topography to facilitate support thereof.

One such system involving elaborate and complex barrier structure isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,020, which includes a singlehigh-strength cable extending between spaced I-beams, with the cablewoven in an elaborate pattern through openings in the I-beams and aroundpipes adjacent webs of the I-beams. A crushable aluminum honeycombstructure can be used with the woven cable, pipes and I-beams to serveas a shock-absorbing element if the barrier system is struck by avehicle. Also, panels can be placed between the spaced I-beams foraesthetic purposes, and to conceal the complex cabling structure.

In a security gate structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,507,multiple high-strength cables are attached to, and extend between, apair of I-beams to form a barrier system. In a non-operated position,the barrier system is mounted below ground level for movement withinspaced tracks in an underground structure, and the system is thereby notnormally visible. When a vehicle approaches the gate location, a vehiclesensor is activated to raise the barrier system, and position the cablesin the path of the oncoming vehicle. Opposite ends of each cable arelooped about shock absorbers to sustain the shock of the vehicle movinginto contact with the cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of a barrier system, the barrier system includes atleast first and second reinforced concrete posts, each concrete postincluding at least one conduit formed therethrough having first andsecond ends and a strain relief sector formed therein at the first endof the conduit. At least one tension cable extends between the posts.The tension cable extends through the conduit of each post and has acable end secured to the post at the second end of each post's conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a barrier system in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an end, or terminal, post and foundationstructure therefor in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing alternate embodiments of securing tensioncables directly to a foundation and alternately to an end post integralwith the foundation, or to an intermediate post, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an end post integrally formed with afoundation with tension cables mounted on the foundation and extendingthrough the end post in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an in-ground foundation with two adjacentcones joined integrally by a common base and forming a recesstherebetween for complementary receipt of an inverted conical ortrapezoidal base of a replaceable post in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first cable-mount post and asecond lever post which are angularly separated and which are formedintegrally with a common foundation in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a wide below-ground foundation formedintegrally with an above-ground post having tension cables extendingthrough the post in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a preformed steel reinforced barconcrete structure for mounting within a ground hole in preparation forforming an integral foundation and post in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a rod-like post mounted in, andextending from, a foundation with mating end portions of adjacent panelsin complementary wrap-around assembly with the post in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a post formed with an inverted conical ortrapezoidal base mounted within an accommodating recess formed betweentwo below-ground foundation supports in a manner similar to that shownin FIG. 5, with the post with a cover and a cap attachable thereto tofacilitate retention of tension cables with the post in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a below-ground foundation formedintegrally with an above-ground post with a tension rod mounted in thefoundation and extending through the post in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a pair of spaced intermediate posts each ofwhich is formed with a foot extending radially from an axis of the postin accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an energy-absorbing elastic strandextending through, and from opposite ends of, atension-member-containing panel, and through support posts, withfacility for attaching the panel to the post, all in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top view showing a panel of the type shown in FIG. 13 withone end of the panel being convex and the opposite end of the panelbeing concave to accommodate linking adjacent panels for serpentinearrangement in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a top view showing mating ends of two adjacent panels of thetype shown in FIG. 13 with interweaving linking elements, each of whichare in the form of a clevis, to retain the panels in linked assembly inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a linking rod extending from afoundation and through aligned holes of panel-supported linking elementsof the type shown in FIG. 15 in accordance with certain principles ofthe invention;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a linking member of the type shownin FIG. 16 in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a foundation and an integrallyformed post with openings for receipt of linking members of the typeshown in FIG. 17 in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a step structure or ramp formedintegrally with a gate panel to allow passage for pedestrians inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a top view showing a gated system formed as a portion of abarrier to allow vehicle passage in a canal-lock-like arrangement inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a top view showing a gated system including two spaced postseach of which supports a respective one of a pair of gates which overlapat a junction of the pair of gates in accordance with certain principlesof the invention;

FIG. 22 is a top view showing a gated system extending between twospaced posts, with a gate being pivotally mounted to one of the postsand latchable to the other post by a pin in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a top view showing a gated system including two spaced postseach of which support one end of a respective one of a pair of gates inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts with a vehiclerestrainer extending therebetween and a pedestrian restrainer attachedto, and extending between, a pair of spaced rods extending,respectively, from tops of the pair of posts in accordance with certainaspects of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing a pair of spaced foundation memberssupporting a respective pair of posts with tension cables weighted atone end and extending between the posts in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts with twointerfacing spaced panels therebetween having a plurality of shearelements between the panels and a tension cable arranged about the shearelements in a serpentine fashion in accordance with certain principlesof the invention;

FIG. 27 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts with twointerfacing spaced panels therebetween having a plurality of shearmembers between the panels and each of two tension cables arranged in anendless loop about a respective one of the pair of posts and respectiveones of the shear members in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 28 is a front sectional view showing an assembly of a foundation,formed with a recess in a curved cup-like configuration, and a postformed with a base in a shape complementary to the configuration of, androckably mounted in, the recess in accordance with certain principles ofthe invention;

FIG. 29 is a side sectional view showing a foundation and post assemblysimilar to the assembly of FIG. 28 where the configuration of thefoundation recess and post base, as viewed from the side, are curved inone plane for rockability from front to rear of the assembly inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 30 is a front sectional view showing the foundation and postassembly of FIG. 29 where the configuration of the foundation recess andthe post base, as viewed from the front, are tapered for wedgingassembly in a non-rockable fashion from side to side in accordance withcertain features of the invention;

FIG. 31 is a side view showing an integral post and foundation formed inan “L” shaped configuration in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 32 is a side view of a two-part post and foundation assembly with afirst post formed with spaced grooves and a second post formed withspaced ribs which enter the grooves to retain tension cables within thegrooves in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 33 is a side view of a post formed integrally with a foundation andhaving spaced grooves for receiving tension cables with a coverpositioned over the grooves and a cap placed over the top of the postand cover in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIGS. 34 and 35 are sectional views showing an assembly of a tensioncable extending through a post with an end of the cable supportingcrushable elements between the post and an end cable clamp in accordancewith certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 34 a is a perspective view showing a crushable element that may beused in at least one embodiment of energy absorbing means in accordancewith certain principles of the invention.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view showing a post and tension cable assemblywith crushable elements over an end of the cable located within a recessin the post with a cover over the recess in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 37 is a side view and FIG. 38 is a front sectional views showingtwo post sections combinable to form a post with three shear elementsextending from one face of a first of the post sections and intoaccommodating recesses formed in a second of the post sections and atension cable threaded around the shear elements in a serpentinefashion, similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 26, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIGS. 39, 39 a, 40, 40 a and 41 are partial views showing spaced “I”beam posts formed with longitudinal spaces for receipt of convex ends ofdecorative panels which conceal tension cables extending between theposts in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 42 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts located on asloped topography and a panel formed with angular end sections which fitinto grooves of the posts in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 43 is a sectional view showing a panel having a spaced horizontalrib extending from one face of the panel with a slot formed in theunderside of the rib for receipt of a tension cable therein and aretainer pin or bolt secured under the slot in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIGS. 44 through 49 are front views showing different arrangements andsurface treatment of panels used with barrier systems for decorativepurposes in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 50 is an end view showing a panel formed with a planter, a cablechase and a contoured front surface in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 51 is a front view of parallel panels mounted between a pair ofposts and held together by retainer straps in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 52 is a sectional view showing the assembled panels and oneretainer strap of FIG. 51 with anchor devices securing the strap withthe panels in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 53 is a front view showing a pair of posts, and a plurality ofvertically oriented panels arranged in a stepped row between a pair ofposts in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIGS. 54 and 55 are sectional end views showing one of the plurality ofpanels of FIG. 51 with slots formed in each of the panels for receivingtension cables therein, and retention means under the slots inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 56 is a side sectional view showing a plurality of stacked panelbeams each of which is formed with a slot therein for receipt of atension cable with the upper beam formed with a recess in the topthereof for receipt of a decorative plant in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 57 is a side sectional view showing a plurality of stacked panelbeams which are formed with interlocking ribs and recesses in accordancewith certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 58 is a top view showing a post with end portions of adjacentpanels wrapped around the post in a complementary manner, similar to therod-like post and panel arrangement of FIG. 9, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 59 is a top view showing a post formed with a longitudinal slot ofa given width with an end of a panel slidingly inserted and held in theslot in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 60 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts with a tensioncable anchored at opposite ends thereof and extending verticallythrough, and horizontally between, the posts in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 61 is a front view showing a panel having convex ends in accordancewith certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 62 is a top view of a security-clearance holding pen, similar tothat shown in FIG. 20, in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 63 is a front sectional view of a post having a rounded top inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 64 is a side sectional view showing a post having a rounded top anda gusset extending laterally from the post and positioned to counteractany forces of a taut tension cable in accordance with certain principlesof the invention;

FIG. 64 a is a top sectional view showing a pair of spaced gussetslocated at a corner post in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 65 is a front sectional view showing a tension cable extendingthrough a post, with an end of the cable being anchored to the ground;

FIG. 65 a is a side sectional view showing an intermediate post havingwith two separate tension cables passing therethrough with end of eachcable being anchored to the ground in accordance with certain principlesof the invention;

FIG. 66 is a front view of a panel extending between a pair of spacedposts with support legs extending below the panel to the ground tosupport the panel in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 67 is a front view showing a pair of spaced posts with multipletension cables extending therebetween in lieu of a single larger cablein accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the decorative exterior of a barrierfence in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIGS. 69, 70 and 71 are each a front view and top view of a decorativeexterior of a panel, similar to that of FIG. 44, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 72 is a front view, and FIG. 73 is a top view, of a barrier fencewhich includes a pedestrian security-check pen, similar to that in FIGS.20 and 62, in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 74 is a front view of a barrier fence which includes steps adjacentthe fence, similar to that of FIG. 24, leading to a pedestriansecurity-check pen, of the type shown in FIGS. 72 and 73, located abovethe fence, all in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 75 is a top view showing an end post of a barrier fence including abrake-pad restraining arrangement within the end post for restraining atension cable, or wire rope, when a portion of the cable, outside of thepost, is impacted by a moving vehicle, in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 76 is side sectional view showing a shock-absorbing end post of abarrier fence formed by a plurality of stackable tub-like modules, whichmay be filled with silica, sand, stone, or the like, with a top cover onthe upper-most module, in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 77 is side sectional view of the shock-absorbing end post of FIG.76 showing one or more tension cables extending through spaced sidewalls of stacked modules of FIG. 76, with disc-like shock absorbersmounted on the cables and embedded within the silica, sand, stone, orthe like, in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 77 a is a top view of one of the stacked modules of FIG. 77 showingthe arrangement of the disc-like shock absorbers and tension cableswithin each module;

FIG. 78 is a front sectional view showing the stacked modules of FIG. 76having steel tension members extending through side walls of the modulesto secure the modules together and to facilitate anchoring the pins, andthereby the modules, to a subterranean anchor, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 79 is a front view showing the stacked modules of FIG. 76 formedwith a plurality of spaced projections which extend into a correspondingplurality of spaced openings formed in a subterranean anchor inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 80 is a side sectional view showing a plurality of sacrificialprojections extending upward from a floor of an opening of a lowermodule, and downward from an undersurface of an immediate superjacentmodule, or top lid, to assist in the absorption of any shock resultingfrom an impact of a vehicle with the tension cable, in accordance withcertain principles of the invention;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view showing one of a plurality of wells formedstrategically in upper edges of one of the modules of FIG. 76, with alifting bar or lug secured with each well, in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 82 is a front sectional view showing one of the modules of FIG. 77with two laterally-spaced tension cables attached to a single disc-likeshock absorber in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 83 is a perspective sectional view showing a barrier fence formedby a base and an integral impact wall extending perpendicularly from thebase, with tension cables extending through the fence, in accordancewith certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view showing a round end post with tensioncables extending in different directions from the end post in accordancewith certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 85 is a partial perspective view showing one of the modules of FIG.76, with a side window for depositing silica into the module, and adetachable funnel for facilitating the depositing of the silica, inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 86 is a side view showing a redundant barrier arrangement whichincludes a fence formed with a base and an integral wall, and a baseplate having a first portion secured to an underside of the base, and asecond portion extending in a direction away from one side of the baseof the wall, in accordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 87 is a perspective sectional view showing a reinforced concretepanel having a decorative face on one exterior wall, with a preformedplastic insert captured within the panel to form spaced passages forreceipt of tension cables, in accordance with certain principles of theinvention;

FIG. 88 is a combined perspective view and a sectional view showing apost for supporting adjacent ends of two serial panels, with structurefor supporting the panels in alignment with a sloping terrain whilelocating the post in a vertical orientation independent of the slopingterrain;

FIG. 89 is a perspective view showing two serial panels having preformedend structure which cooperates with complementary structure of a commonintermediate post to retain assembly of adjacent panels, where the postalso functions as a keeper for retaining tension cables, or wire ropes,within aligned grooves of a plurality of the panels;

FIG. 90 is a side view showing a combination precast panel and post unitformed with holding slots for supporting a plurality of tension cablestherein;

FIG. 91 is a rear view showing tension cables located within the holdingslots of the combination precast panel and post unit of FIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is a side view showing a keeper formed with structure fornesting with complementary structure of the combination precast paneland post unit of FIG. 90 for retaining the tension cables within theholding slots;

FIG. 93 is a side view showing the keeper of FIG. 92 in cable-retainingassembly with the combination precast panel and post unit of FIG. 90;

FIG. 94 is a top view and side sectional view showing one of a pluralityof stackable sections, which, when stacked, form an intermediate anchorpost for supporting a plurality of tension cables, with each sectionhaving a cable-entry port in communication, through open-top cablepassages, with all of a plurality of cable exit ports, which may be indirect or angular alignment with the cable entry port, and with eachsection formed with a plurality of spaced legs extending from theunderside thereof and into the cable passages for retaining the cableswithin the passages;

FIG. 95 is a top view showing a plurality of panels and intermediateposts, and a pair of spaced end posts, in an arrangement for providing apedestrian passage while protecting against the unauthorized passage ofa vehicle;

FIG. 96 is a front view showing a barrier fence, with parts removed,having a panel and an intermediate post on each side of an end post,with tension cables extending into opposite sides of the end post, whichare secured to eyebolts located within the end post and mounted in ananchor below the end post;

FIG. 97 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the end post ofFIG. 96;

FIG. 98 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the end post ofFIG. 96;

FIG. 99 is a combination plan view and side view of a barrier fencehaving a panel and intermediate post integrated into one component inaccordance with certain principles of the invention;

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of a barrier fence with a passagewayallowing passage by people but not vehicles in accordance with certainprinciples of the invention; and

FIG. 101 is a sectional view of an energy absorbing means in accordancewith certain principles of the invention.

FIG. 102 is a sectional view of an energy absorbing means in a restposition in accordance with certain principles of the invention.

FIGS. 103 to 113B illustrate another embodiment of a barrier system anda method of making same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description of the invention. The drawingfigures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of theinvention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematicform in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description,relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and“bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure underdiscussion. References to axial dimensions and directions (e.g., in an“X” direction, over a “Y” dimension, etc.) should also be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingfigure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription and normally are not intended to require a particularorientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,”“longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpretedrelative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axisor center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments,coupling and the like, such as “joined,” “connected,” and“interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are securedor attached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments orrelationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Historically, terrorists, and others with destructive intentions, haveemployed rapidly moving objects, such as vehicles, to transportexplosives for direct impact with, or into a location adjacent,critically important structures. Such structures usually includecivilian government, military, and non-government buildings. Theexplosives are detonated to damage or destroy the structures and toinjure or kill anyone in or adjacent such structures.

In similar fashion, destructive-intending pedestrians, commonly referredto as “suicide bombers,” having explosives attached to their bodies,have entered such important structures as well as gatherings of otherpeople, and thereafter detonated the explosives to destroy and damagethe buildings and kill or injure the other people.

In order to preclude the entry of such explosive-containing vehicles andpedestrians into critical areas, barrier systems have been designed,which are intended to preclude entry of any unauthorized vehicles andpedestrians into such structures. Some of the barrier systems have beenformed by bollards, water-filled obstructions, jersey walls, berms,chain link fences and tensioned cable beams. Products of this type canbe standard or generic designs for use at any location, or they can becustom designed for the particular environment of the structures andgatherings of people in the area to be protected. In any event, thebarrier systems should be designed with force-reactive parametersnecessary to insure barring the entry of the explosive-laden vehiclesinto the protected areas, and security systems necessary to bar entry ofunauthorized personnel into the protected areas.

In areas of critical importance, where vehicle traffic flow is frequent,barrier systems may be located underground, for aesthetic purposes. Suchunderground barrier systems are readily movable, automatically or byhuman control, to an above-ground position to present an obstacle toentry of an explosive-laden and/or unidentified vehicle into the areasof critical importance.

In the past, architects have designed custom made barrier systems wherehigh levels of protection are warranted. In addition, architects havedesigned barrier systems which are unobtrusive and pleasing inappearance.

In view of a significant increase in destructive actions by terroristsin recent years, the United States Department of State has issuedseveral levels of requirements for barrier systems, with each levelbeing dependent on the anticipated size of the vehicle (e.g., 15,000pounds) and the speed of such vehicle (e.g., 30, 40 or 50 miles perhour). In the most stringent level, the barrier system must limit thetravel or penetration of the vehicle to three meters after impacting thebarrier system.

In order to meet such stringent and high level standards for barriersystems, careful design is necessary. At the same time, it is desirablethat such barrier systems present a pleasant appearance, particularly inareas where government office buildings and living quarters, as well assimilarly situated non-government buildings and residences, are located.

Some of the attributes for such barrier systems and components thereofinclude (a) providing for relatively easy assembly of the components,(b) permitting repair or replacement of components without disassemblyof the entire barrier system, (c) providing a means for self diagnosticsto determine if disablement of the barrier system has occurred, (d)providing for the electrical wiring of the barrier system to powerlights, motion sensors, proximity and impact detectors, and otherintelligence functions, (e) providing facility for preventing entry, aswell as allowing selective entry, of vehicles and pedestrians, and (f)providing aesthetic enhancements.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein provide a pre-engineered barriersystem having optionally-selectable components which an architect,builder or security personnel can assemble without the need to designand build a barrier system on a custom basis, while meeting theabove-noted requirements and standards, and attaining the above-notedsecurity attributes.

It is to be understood that terms such as “energy absorbing means,”“load absorbing means,” “shock absorbing means,” “energy absorber,”“load absorber,” “shock absorber,” and like terms are used substantiallyinterchangeably throughout the specification. Use of any of these orlike terms references any suitable means for absorbing energy.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a barrier system 100 includes a pair of spacedfoundations 102 and 104, which are located, at least partially, withinground soil 106. An upper surface 108 of each of the foundations 102 and104 is selectively located at, above, or below ground level 110 of thesoil 106. The spaced foundations 102 and 104 may be formed integrallywith a pair of respective end posts 112 and 114, or, if formedseparately, bottom surfaces of the pair of end posts may be situated onthe upper surfaces 108 of the pair of respective foundations 102 and104.

The end post 112 is formed with a pair of spaced chambers 116 and 118,which are formed with respective open ends 120 and 122 and respectiveclosed ends 124 and 126. In similar fashion, the end post 114 is formedwith a pair of spaced chambers 128 and 130, which are formed withrespective open ends 132 and 134 and respective closed ends 136 and 138.

A plurality of spaced intermediate posts 140 are each formed with anupstanding beam 142, and a foundation, pedestal, or foot 144 which isresting on the soil 106 at ground level 110. The plurality of posts 140are spaced from, and are located between, the pair of end posts 112 and114. Each beam 142 of the posts 140 is formed with a first or upperthrough opening 146, and a second or lower through opening 148 spacedbelow the first opening.

Opposite ends of a first high-strength wire rope or tension cable 150are located within respective ones of the chambers 116 and 128 formed inthe respective end posts 112 and 114. The tension cable 150 is threadedthrough aligned openings of a first plurality of energy absorbers, loadabsorbers, or shock absorbers 152 within the chamber 116, an opening 154formed through the end post 112 between the closed end 124 and theadjacent side of the end post, the first openings 146 of theintermediate posts 140, an opening 156 formed through the end post 112between the closed end 136 and the adjacent side of the end post, andthrough aligned openings of a second plurality of energy absorbers, loadabsorbers, or shock absorbers 158 within the chamber 128. In at leastone embodiment, energy absorbers 152 and 158 are stacked, crushablecups.

In similar fashion, a second tension cable 160 is strung between the endposts 112 and 114, with the ends of the cable being located in therespective chambers 128 and 130. The tension cable 160 is threadedthrough aligned openings of a plurality of energy absorbers, loadabsorbers, or shock absorbers 162 located in the chamber 128, a throughhole 164 formed in the end post 112, the second openings 148 of theintermediate posts 140, a through hole 166 formed in the end post 114,and aligned holes of a plurality of energy absorbers, load absorbers, orshock absorbers 168 located in the chamber 130. Each of the oppositeends of the first and second tension cables 150 and 160 are secured witha large fastener (not shown) to facilitate the retention of the cablesin the assembled arrangement of the barrier system 100. In at least oneembodiment, energy absorbers 162 and 168 are stacked, crushable cups.

One or more decorative panels 170 can be placed between the end posts112 and 114 and the respective adjacent intermediate posts 140, andbetween any of the remaining pairs of adjacent intermediate posts. Theends of the panels 170 can be formed to mount into accommodating grooves(not shown) formed in the end posts 112 and 114, and the intermediateposts 140. Each of the panels 170 can be formed with concealedpassageways 172, which extend from one end to the opposite end thereof,to facilitate threading of the tension cables 150 and 160 therethroughat the time of threading of the cables as described above.

The foundations 102 and 104 with the respective end posts 112 and 114,the intermediate posts 140, and the tension cables 150 and 160, whenassembled as the barrier system 100, form a barrier fence 173, with theinclusion of the panels 170 providing enhanced opposition tounauthorized vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and pleasingdecorativeness.

The tension cables 150 and 160 are stretched to place the cables undertension to meet the requirements and standards noted above, and the endsof the cables are attached to the fasteners to retain the cables in thetensioned state. If a vehicle impacts the barrier system 100, theopposite ends of the tension cables 150 and 160 are drawn inward by theimpacting force, whereby the energy absorbers 152, 158, 162 and 168 arecrushed to allow a minimal level of slack to develop in the cables. Thecrushed energy absorbers 152, 158, 162 and 168, any damaged posts 112,114 and 140, any damaged panels 170, and any damaged tension cables 150and 160 can be readily replaced.

The energy absorbers 152, 158, 162 and 168 are preferably made of aductile material. Carbon steel and stainless steel are such materials.Such a material can absorb large amounts of energy as it is stretchingbetween yield and ultimate strength. This is shown in Table 1 below aselongation % in 2 inches under the “Mechanical properties—annealed”heading. Upon the impact of a vehicle striking a portion of the fence,the tension cables 150 and 160 will transfer the tension to end posts112 and 114. In certain circumstances, the forces may become greaterthan the strength of the tension cable due to rapid vehicledeceleration. By providing an energy absorbing means, the vehicle willstop in a longer period of time, thus resulting in a lower force on thetension cables and a substantial portion of the kinetic energy from thevehicle will be absorbed by the energy absorbing means.

TABLE 1 Properties of Stainless Steel. Group CHROMIUM-NICKEL AUSTENITICGROUP Type Number 201 202 301 302 304 304L Analyses-percent: Chromium16.0-18.0 17.0-19.0 16.00-18.00 17.00-19.00 18.00-20.00 18.00-20.00Nickel 3.5-5.5 4.0-6.0 6.00-8.00  8.00-10.00  8.00-12.00  8.00-12.00Other elements (Note 6) N₂ .25 max N₂ .25 max — — — — Carbon .15 max .15max .15 max .15 max .08 max .03 max Manganese 5.5/7.5 7.5/10.0 2.00 max2.00 max 2.00 max 2.00 max Silicon 1.00 max 1.00 max 1.00 max 1.00 max1.00 max 1.00 max Physical data: Melting range-° F. — — 2550-25902550-2590 2550-2650 2550-2650 Density-lb/in.³ .28 .28 0.29 0.29 0.290.29 Specific heat-Btu/° F./lb (32-212 F.) 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12Thermal conductivity-Btu/ft²/hr/° F./ft: 212 F. — — 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 932F. — — 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.4 Mean coefficient of thermal expansion-in/in/° F. × 10⁻⁶: 68-212 F. 9.2 9.4 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 68 to indicatedtemperature-° F. 11.3 (1600) 10.9 (1600) 11.0 (1600) 11.0 (1600) 11.0(1600) 11.0 (1600) Electrical properties: Magnetic permeability at 200 Hannealed 1.02 max 1.02 max 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 Electricalresistivity-microhm-cm: 68 F. 69.0 69.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 1200 F. — —116.0 116.0 116.0 116.0 Heat resistance: Maximum operating temperature-°F.: Intermittent service (Note 1) 1500 1500 1600 1600 1600 1600Continuous service 1550 1550 1700 1700 1700 1700 Temperatures-workingand treating-° F.: Forging-start 2300 2300 2200 2200 2200 2200Forging-finish 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 Annealing-ranges (Note 2)1850-2000 1850-2000 1950-2050 1850-2050 1800-1950 1800-1950Annealing-cooling (Note 3) WQ(AC) WQ(AC) WQ(AC) WQ(AC) WQ(AC) A.C.Hardening-ranges (Note 7) (Note 7) (Note 7) (Note 7) (Note 7) (Note 7)Quenching — — — — — — Tempering-for intermediate hardness — — — — — —Drawing-for relieving stresses — — — — — — Mechanicalproperties-annealed: Structure annealed. A A A A A A Yieldstrength-lb/in.²-min 40 000 40 000 35 000 30 000 30 000 25 000 Ultimatestrength-lb/in.²-min 115 000  100 000  100 000  80 000 80 000 70 000Elongation-% in 2 inches-min 40.0 40.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 40.0 Reduction inarea-%-min — — 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 Modulus of elasticity intension-lb/in.² × 10⁶ 29.0 29.0 29.0 29.0 29.0 29.0 Hardness-Brinell 210max 210 max 180 max 180 max 180 max 180 max Hardness-Rockwell B95 maxB95 max B90 max B90 max B90 max B90 max Impact values-Izod-ft-lb 85 min85 min 85 min 85 min 85 min 80 min Mechanical properties-heat treated:Yield strength-lb/in.² Ultimate strength-lb/in.² (Note 8) (Note 8) (Note8) (Note 8) (Note 8) (Note 8) Elongation-% in 2 inches Hardness-BrinellHardness-Rockwell Creep strength-lb/in.² at 1000° F.: 1% Flow in 10,000hr — — 19 000 19 000 19 000 19 000 1% Flow in 100,000 hr — — 13 000 13000 13 000 13 000

As shown in FIG. 2, the foundation 102 is formed integrally with the endpost 112, with a tension rod 172 embedded in the cured material of thefoundation and rod. This arrangement enhances the strength of theintegral structure of the foundation 102 and the end post 112 to providerelatively greater opposition to any destructive reaction encountered bythe foundation and the end post. A portion of foundation 102 issubterranean, being adjacent soil 106 and below ground level 110.

In the illustration of FIG. 3, in a first embodiment, the end post 112is supported on the foundation 102, with tension cables 150 and 160extending through the intermediate posts 140. The ends of the cables 150and 160 extend from the end post 112 and are anchored to the foundation102 to provide tensioning of the cables. In an alternate or secondembodiment, an intermediate post 140 a functions as an end post, and theends of the cables 150 and 160 extend from the post 140 a and areanchored to the foundation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the post 112 extends upward from the foundation 102,with a gusset 175 being located in engagement with a vertical side ofthe post and an adjacent portion of the top of the foundation. The post112 and the gusset 175 are each formed with communicating through holesfor receipt of the tension cables 150 and 160 therethrough. The ends ofthe cables 150 and 160 are anchored to the foundation 102.

Referring to FIG. 5, the foundation 102 is formed with integrallyconnected double cones 174 and 176 with a trapezoidal recess 178 betweenthe cones. The end post 112, which is replaceable, is formed with atrapezoidal base 180 which nests in the recess 178 for a secure supportof the base by the foundation 102. An eyebolt 182 is attached to anupper end of the post 112 to facilitate placement, and replacement, ofthe base 180 with respect to the recess 178. A decorative cap 184 can bepositioned at the upper end of the post 112.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first post/foundation assembly 186 includes thepost 112 integrally formed, or separately secured, with the foundation102. The post 112 is formed with openings 188 and 190 for receipt of thetension cables 150 and 160, respectively. A pivot post 112 a is alsointegrally formed, or separately secured, with the foundation 102, andis located generally at an angle of ninety degrees with the post 112.The pivot post 112 a is formed with openings 188 a and 190 a for receiptof a second pair of tension cables 150 a and 160 a. When the firstpost/foundation assembly 186 is assembled as a component of a barriersystem, the post 112 extends upward from the foundation 102, and thepivot post 112 a located in the soil 106 slightly below ground level110.

A second post/foundation assembly (not shown) is identical to, andspaced from, the first post/foundation assembly 186, with the tensioncables 150, 160, 150 a and 160 a being attached to, and extendingbetween, the first and second post/foundation assemblies.

When a vehicle impacts, and attempts to pass beyond, the tension cables150 and 160, the cables are moved in the direction of travel of thevehicle whereby the posts 112 of the two spaced post/foundationassemblies 186 are moved to position as shown in phantom in FIG. 6. Atthe same time, the foundations 102 of the two spaced post/assemblies 186revolves partially to pivot the pivot posts 112 a out of the soil 106 tothe position shown in phantom. As the pivot posts 112 a pivot out of thesoil 106, the tension cables 150 a and 160 a are also raised from thesoil to engage the under carriage of the vehicle, elevating and liftingthe vehicle upward from ground level 110.

Referring to FIG. 7, a post 192 includes an integrally formed base 194and a beam 196 extending upward from the base, with a steel reinforcingbar 198 embedded within the integral post. Steel reinforcing bar iscommonly, and hereinafter, referred to as “rebar.” The base 194 isformed with a convex undersurface 200, which is located within acomplimentary concave recess 202 formed in the soil 106 below the groundlevel 110. The beam 196 is formed with a pair of spaced through holes204 and 206 for receipt of the tension cables 150 and 160.

As the beam 196, or the cables 150 and 160, are impacted by a vehicle,the post 192 is pivoted out of the concave recess 202, whereby theportion of the base 194, which is closest to the vehicle, is raised tolift and stop the vehicle from further forward movement. Also, as thebase 194 is pivoted from the recess 202, the base will rotate and movelaterally to plow the soil to form a berm-like deterrent to furthermovement of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 8, a process for forming a foundation, with or withoutan integral post, in situ, initially includes the forming, off site, ofa rebar skeleton 208 in the general configuration of the foundation,with or without the post. A cylindrical hole 210 is dug into the soil106 with a diameter slightly larger than the ultimate diameter of thefoundation, and at a depth generally equal to, or less than, the heightof the foundation. Thereafter, the rebar skeleton 208 is deposited intothe hole 210. If a post is to be formed integrally with the foundation,the upper portion of the rebar skeleton 208, about which the post is tobe formed, will extend outward from the hole 210 and above ground level110.

A mold 212 is also produced off site, and is formed generally in theexterior shape of the rebar skeleton 208, but is laterally larger thanthe rebar skeleton. The mold 212, which is generally in the shape of aninverted funnel, is placed over the rebar skeleton 208, with thefoundation portion of the mold being located within the hole 210 and thepost portion of the mold being located above ground level 110. Astandoff, which could be ribs formed integrally with, and extendingradially inward from the interior walls of, the mold 212, locates theinterior wall of the mold by a prescribed distance from adjacentportions of the rebar skeleton 208. The standoff insures that the rebarskeleton is fully embedded within the ultimately formed foundation andpost.

A foundation-and-post material such as, for example, concrete isdeposited through an open top of the mold 212 and into the cavity formedby the mold. The deposited concrete surrounds the rebar skeleton 208 andfills the cavity of the mold 212 where, upon curing of the concrete, thefoundation and the post are formed with the rebar skeleton beingembedded within the concrete. The mold 212 can be removed from, or canbe retained with, the formed concrete foundation and post. Soil 106 isthen used to back fill, to the ground level 110, the portions of thehole 210 not occupied by the formed foundation, whereby the post, andselectively an upper position of the foundation, extends above theground level.

A plurality of the rebar skeletons 208 can be manufactured off-site andstored in a stacked arrangement. Similarly, a plurality of the molds 212can be manufactured off-site and stored in a stacked arrangement. Thestacked rebar skeletons 208 and the stacked molds 212 can then bereadily shipped in the stacked arrangement to the location of the insitu formation of a prescribed number of foundations and posts in theconstruction of the barrier system 100.

As shown in FIG. 9, the post 140 extends upward from the foundation 144.It is noted that the illustrated post-and-pedestal assembly could alsorepresent either of the foundations 102 and 104 and the respective endpost 112 and 114. Each end of each of the panels 170 is formed with aconcave groove, which extends from the top to the bottom of the panel.The concavity of each groove 214 is complementary to approximatelyone-half of the longitudinal configuration of the post 140. In theassembly of the panels 170 with the posts 140, the grooves 214, atopposite ends of each of the panels, is positioned about the adjacentone of the posts 140, and are thereby retained in the assembled positionwith the posts.

Referring to FIG. 10, a foundation-and-post assembly 216, generallysimilar to the assembly of FIG. 5, includes a pair of spaced conicalfoundation members 218 and 220, which are located within the soil 106,with an upper end of each of the members being located at ground level110. A post 222 is formed with a beam 224 and a trapezoidal base 226,with a common rebar 228 being embedded within the beam and base. Thebase 226 is wedged within the space between the two foundation members218 and 220. An eyebolt 229 is secured to an upper end of the beam 224to facilitate lowering, and raising, of the base 226 relative to thespace between the foundation members 218 and 220.

One side 230 of the beam 224 is formed with three vertically spacedgrooves 232, which receive three respective tension cables 234. A sidecover 236 is placed in engagement with the one side 228 of the beam 224to cover the grooves 232 to facilitate retention of the tension cables234 within the respective grooves. A cap 238 is placed over an upper endof the assembled beam 224 and cover 236 to retain the beam and cover inthe assembled arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 11, the foundation 102 is formed integrally with theend post 112, with a tension rod 240 and an enlarged base 242 thereofembedded within the foundation. The tension rod 240, which could be apipe or an I-beam, also extends upward from the foundation 102, throughthe end post 112 and is exposed at an upper end of the end post.

A plurality of vertically spaced rebars 244 are located within the endpost 112, and extend perpendicularly of the tension rod 240 between therod and one side 246 of the end post. The end post 112 is formedinternally with two vertically spaced chambers 248 and 250, whichprovide enclosures for energy absorbing means, and with the tensioncables 150 and 160, respectively, terminating in the chambers andattached to the energy absorbing means.

As shown in FIG. 12, an intermediate portion of the fence 173 of FIG. 1includes a plurality panels 252, each of which extend between adjacentintermediate posts 140. Each panel 252 is formed with passages 254 and256 through which the tension cables 150 and 160, respectively, arethreaded. The plurality of panels 252 can assist in the barrier functionto stop oncoming vehicles, and also can provide a decorative appearancefor the barrier system by concealing the tension cables 150 and 160. Theuse of the plurality of panels 252 facilitates various arrangements ofthe barrier system 100 such as, for example, where the components of thefence 173 must be arranged in a serpentine fashion, as viewed from thetop, or on a topographical slope, as viewed from the front.

It is noted that, while not shown, the bottom of each of the panels 252could extend to the ground level 110 for support of the panel thereby.The bottom of each of the panels 252 would be shaped to accommodate anyobstruction presented by other objects above the ground level 110, suchas, for example, the foundation 144 of the post 140, so that theunobstructed portion of the bottom of the panel would rest on the groundlevel.

As shown in FIG. 13, a post 258 is formed with a passage 260 for thethreading of the tension cable 150 therethrough, with a first set ofvertically spaced recesses 262 and 264 formed are on one side of thepost, and are spaced apart by a prescribed distance. A second set ofvertically spaced recesses 266 and 268 are formed on an opposite side ofthe post 258, are spaced apart by the prescribed distance, and arealigned with the recesses 262 and 264, respectively. It is noted thatthe tension cable 150 could be, for example, an energy-absorbing elasticstrand.

A heavy-duty cast concrete or plastic panel 270 is also formed with apassage 272 to facilitate the threading of the tension cable 150therethrough. A first set of vertically spaced eyebolts 274 and 276 arefirmly secured at one end thereof to a first end 278 of the panel 270,and are spaced apart by the prescribed distance, with the eye portion ofthe eyebolts being exposed. A second set of vertically spaced eyebolts280 and 282 are firmly secured at one end thereof to a second end 284 ofthe panel 270, are aligned with the eyebolts 274 and 276, respectively,and are spaced apart by the prescribed distance, with the eye portion ofthe eyebolts being exposed.

When assembling the fence 173, the tension cable 150 is threaded throughthe passage 260 of the illustrated post 258, through the passage 272 ofthe panel 270, and through the passage 260 of a post (not shown), whichis adjacent the end 284 of the panel. The panel 270 is manipulated toinsert the eye portion of the eyebolts 274 and 276 into respectiverecesses 262 and 264 of post 258, and to insert the eye portion of theeyebolts 280 and 282 into respective recesses 266 and 268 of the post(not shown), which is adjacent the end 284 of the panel 270. As analternative, the eye portions of the eyebolts 274, 276, 280 and 282could initially be assembled within the respective recesses 262, 264,266 and 268, and the tension cable 150 then threaded through the alignedpassageways 260 and 272.

After the assembly as described above, the eye portions of the eyebolts274, 276, 280 and 282 could be supported on the lower ledge of each ofthe respective recesses 262, 264, 266 and 268, and retained in thatposition by the tension cable 150 passing through the panel 270.Alternatively, a locking mechanism (not shown) which is contained withinthe post 258 can be actuated by an external actuator 286 to move lockingpins through each of the eye portions of the eyebolts 274, 276, 280 and282 to further facilitate retention of the panel 270 in position betweeneach set of adjacent posts 258.

Referring to FIG. 14, adjacent cast concrete or plastic panels 270 ofFIG. 13, with the tension cable 150 threaded therethrough, can be formedwith a concave end 288 at one end thereof, and a convex end 290 at theother end thereof, with a recess 292 formed in the convex end. Aneyebolt 294 is firmly secured within the concave end 288, with the eyeportion of the eyebolt being exposed. Adjacent panels 270 can then beassembled in a serpentine fashion, as viewed from the top of the fence173, by positioning the concave end 288 of one panel about the convexend 290 of the adjacent panel, and by inserting the eye portion of theeyebolt 294 into the recess 292.

A locking pin (not shown) can be positioned through an opening in thepanel 270, adjacent the convex end thereof, and the eye portion of theeyebolt 294, which is aligned with the panel opening. In this manner,one panel 270 can be positioned angularly with respect to the adjacentpanel.

As shown in FIG. 15, a first panel 296, as viewed from the top thereof,is in assembly with a second panel 298, with the panels being composedof cast concrete or plastic. The first panel 296 is formed at one end300 with a central extension 302 of a prescribed shape and is formedwith a hole therethrough. A rod 304 is embedded within the first panel296, and is formed with an enlarged head 306, which is embedded withinthe central extension 302. A common hole is formed through the extension302 and the embedded head 306.

The second panel 298 is formed at one end 308 with a recess 310, whichis complementary to the prescribed shape. The recess 310 of the secondpanel 298 is positioned for receipt of the extension 302 of the firstpanel 296. Portions 312 of the end 308 of the second panel 298 areflared from the recess 310 to opposite sides thereof, with the flarebeing in a direction away from the first panel 296.

A clevis 314 is secured in the second panel 298 and extends centrallyfrom the recess 310 thereof, and into overlapping position with theextension 302, with a hole of the clevis being aligned with the commonhole of the extension and the embedded head 306. A pin is insertedthrough the common hole of the extension 302 and the embedded head 306,and the hole of the clevis 314 to retain panels 296 and 298 together andto allow pivotal positioning between the panels. A rebar 316 is embeddedwithin the first panel 296 and is looped around the common hole of theextension 302 and the embedded head 306.

As shown in FIG. 16, a steel post 318 is formed in place, and extendsabove a foundation 320. A pair of spaced cast concrete or plastic panels322 and 324 has partially embedded therein a first pair of clevis 326and 328, spaced from a second pair of clevis 330 and 332. Each clevis326, 328, 330 and 332 has an exposed portion which extends outward froma first end 334 of the panels 322 and 324, and are formed with alignedholes. A third pair of spaced clevis 336 and 338 are also partiallyembedded in the panels 322 and 324, with exposed portions thereofextending outward from a second end 340 of the panels, and are formedwith aligned holes.

The holes of the first, second and third pairs of the clevis are alignedand placed over the cast concrete post 318 to attach the panels 322 and324 together. Decorative caps (not shown) may be placed on top of theposts 318. The panels 322 and 324 can be formed such that interfacingportions of the respective ends 334 and 340 are in engagement to providea compression butt between the adjacent panels.

Referring to FIG. 17, a tension member 342 is formed with a prescribedlength, and with a clevis 344 having aligned holes at a first end 346 ofthe member. The tension member 342 is straight at a second end 348 ofthe member, which is formed with a single hole.

Referring to FIG. 18, a post 350 is formed integrally with a foundation352, and extends upward therefrom. The post 350 is formed with avertical core 354, and with a pair of spaced through holes 356 and 358,which are laterally of, and in communication with, the core.

A first of the tension members 342 of FIG. 17 is manipulated to insertthe respective clevis 344, at the first end 346 of the tension member,into the hole 356 of the post 350 from a first side 360 of the post,with the vertical core 354 being aligned with the holes of the clevis. Asecond of the tension members 342 is manipulated to insert the second orstraight end 348 into an opening formed within the clevis 344, from asecond side 362 of the post 350, with the hole of the second end beingaligned with the vertical core 354 and the holes of the clevis. Theclevis 344 of a third one of the tension members 342, and the second end348 of a fourth one of the tension members, is assembled within the hole358 of the post 348 in similar fashion.

A locking pin 364, having a head 366, is inserted into the vertical core354 of the post 350, from the top of the post, and through aligned holesof the two clevis 344 and the two second ends 348 to retain the tensionmembers 342 in assembly with the post.

As shown in FIG. 19, a cast concrete or plastic panel 368 extendsbetween two spaced posts 370 and 372, and is cast integrally with stairs374 and 376 on opposite sides of the panel to provide a passage forauthorized pedestrians to pass over the panel. In lieu of the stairs 374and 376, a pair of ramps (not shown) could be cast integrally with, andon opposite sides of, the panel 368 to provide a passage for authorizedwheelchair-bound persons to pass over the panel.

Referring to FIG. 20, a “canal lock” gate system 377 includes an endsection of a first fence 378 formed by a series of spaced intermediateposts 380, located between two end posts 382 and 384, with a continuoustension member 386 extending between the intermediate and end posts. Abeginning section of a second fence 388 is formed by a beginning endpost 390 and a series of spaced intermediate posts 392, with continuoustension member 394 extending the intermediate and end posts.

The end section of the first fence 378 is spaced from and generallyparallel to the beginning section of the second fence 388. A first gate396, including tension members 398, is mounted along one side thereof tothe end post 382 for pivoting movement, and is latchable to the end post390. A second gate 400, including tension members 402, is mounted alongone side thereof to the end post 384 for pivoting movement, and islatchable to an intermediate post 392 a of the second fence 388.

The gates 396 and 400 can be controlled in the manner of controllingcanal gates of a waterway canal to allow selective passage of anauthorized vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 21, a fence 406 having a tension cable system and agated passage, is formed by a first post 408 and a spaced second post410, with tension cables 412 a and 412 b extending away from therespective posts 408 and 410. A first gate section 414 is mounted forpivoting movement to the first post 408. A second gate section 416 ismounted for pivoting movement to the second post 410.

When the gate sections 414 and 416 are in a closed position, an extendedend portion 414 a of the first gate section 414 overlaps an extended endportion 416 a of the second gate section 416. In the closed position,the gate sections 414 and 416 are secured to each other by a connectorof any of a number of known connectors.

As shown in FIG. 22, a gate 418 is formed by tension members 420, with afirst end 422 of the gate attached to a first gate post 424 for pivotalmovement relative to the post. A second end 426 of the gate 418 isformed with latch member (not shown), which is latchable to a secondgate post 428 by a multi-pin facility 430. Additional tension members432 extend from the gate posts 424 and 428 to, and beyond, intermediateposts 434 and 436, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 23, in a barrier fence, a gate 438 is formed by twogate sections 440 and 442, each of which are pivotally attached to twogate posts 444 and 446, respectively, spaced apart by a prescribeddistance. Each of the gate sections 440 and 442 is formed as a tensionmember, without panels, and extend from the respective posts 444 and 446by a distance greater than the prescribed distance.

The gate sections 440 and 442 are formed with free ends 450 and 452,respectively, each of which are formed with vertically-spaced endfingers (not shown). The end fingers of the free end 450 are formed in afirst set of vertically-spaced planes, and the end fingers of the freeend 452 are formed in a second set of vertically-spaced planes, whichare offset from the first set of planes by the thickness of the endfingers. When the free ends 450 and 452 are moved into verticalalignment, as shown in FIG. 23, the end fingers of the free end 450interleave with the end fingers of the free end 452, to vertically alignthrough holes formed in each of the end fingers.

When the gate 438 is closed, and the end fingers of the free ends 450and 452 are interleaved together, a multi-shear latching pin 454 isinserted into and through the vertically-aligned through holes of theend fingers to secure the gate in a closed position. If an unauthorizedvehicle attempts to enter beyond the barrier fence, and impacts thesecured gate 438, the gate sections 440 and 442, and the multi-shear pin454, are of sufficient strength to prevent the vehicle from passingthrough the gate. If an authorized vehicle is to pass through the gate438, the multi-shear pin 454 is vertically withdrawn from the alignedthrough holes of the end fingers of the free ends 450 and 452, the gatesections 440 and 442 are pivoted apart, and the authorized vehicle isallowed to pass through the gate.

The barrier fence further includes tension members 456 which extend fromthe gate posts 444 and 446 through, and beyond, intermediate posts 458and 460, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of spaced intermediate barrier posts462 (two shown) support a plurality of sections 464 of a vehicle fence,which may be composed of tension members and/or panels. The fence isgenerally three feet in height from the ground level 110.

Each of a plurality of spaced rods 466 is mounted in the top of arespective one of the posts 462, with adjacent pairs of the rodsproviding support for individual sections 468 of a pedestrian fencebetween the rods. The top of the pedestrian fence is located generallysix feet from the ground level 110. The sections 468 of the pedestrianfence may be formed from iron work, expanded metal, chain links, and thelike, and may be formed as a lattice.

As shown in FIG. 25, each of two foundation assemblies 470 a and 470 bis formed with two spaced side sections 472 and 474, and an integrallyformed linking section 476, which straddles the side sections at the topthereof. Each of two posts 478 a and 478 b is placed on, or castintegrally with, a respective one of the two foundation assemblies 470 aand 470 b.

A right end of a first tension cable 150 a is secured to the post 478 a.A second tension cable 150 b extends from a location (not shown) to theright of FIG. 25, where a right end of the cable is secured to a post(not shown), also at the location, in the same manner that the visibleright end of cable 150 a is secured to the post 478 a, as describedabove. The tension cable 150 b extends through an opening 480 formedthrough the post 478 b, into an opening 482 formed in the post 478 a,and over a roller 484 located within a hollow in the post 478 a. Thetension cable 150 b continues through a vertical core 486 of the post478 a, exits from the bottom of the post 478 a, and to a left end of thecable which is attached to a weight 488 located in a space 490 betweenthe spaced side sections 472 and 474 of the foundation assembly 470 a.

The tension cable 160 a has a left end which is attached to a post (notshown) to the left of FIG. 25, and extends through an opening 492 in thepost 478 a, into an opening 493 in the post 478 b, over a roller 494 ina hollow of the post 478 b, and into a vertical core 496 formed in thepost 478 b. The cable 160 a exits from the bottom of the post 478 b andextends into a space 498, between the spaced side sections 472 and 474,and is attached at its right end to a weight 500. A panel 502 is placedover the tension cables 150 b and 160 a which extend between the posts478 a and 478 b. The weights 488 and 500 provide a tensioning of therespective tension cables 150 b and 160 a, and provide a counter weightwhich prevents the passage of an unauthorized vehicle through the panel502.

As shown in FIG. 26, a tension cable 504 extends through an upperopening 506 of a first intermediate post 508. The cable 504 is threadedin a serpentine fashion about a first row of spaced shear posts 510 anda second row of spaced shear posts 512, which are spaced from the firstrow of shear posts. The shear posts 510 and 512, and the threadedportion of the cable 504, are located between spaced panels 514 (oneshown) of a clamshell panel assembly 516, which extends between thefirst intermediate post 508 and a spaced second intermediate post 518.The cable 504 exits from between the panels 514 and extends through alower opening 520 of the second intermediate post 518. The spaced panels514 and the shear posts 510 and 512 can be formed as a unitary concretearrangement.

When an unauthorized vehicle impacts the panel assembly 516, thestressed cable 504 begins to break some of the shear posts 510 and 512from their formation with the panels 514. However, the impact force ofthe vehicle is insufficient to break all of the shear posts 510 and 512,and the vehicle is prevented from passing through the panel assembly516.

Additionally, a second tension cable (not shown) could be threaded abouttwo other rows of shear posts (not shown) in the same manner as thecable 504.

As an alternative, a given length of a tension cable (not shown) couldbe secured at one end thereof to the post 508, and the opposite endthereof secured to the post 518, with intermediate portions of the givenlength of cable being threaded in a serpentine fashion about two rows ofshear posts (not shown) in the same manner as the tension cable 504.

Referring to FIG. 27, a first set of energy-absorbing bosses 522, and asecond set of energy-absorbing bosses 524, extend between spaced panels526 (one shown) of a clamshell panel assembly 528. A first endlesstension cable 529 extends around the first set of bosses 522 and a pairof spaced retention members 530 extending from an intermediate post 532.A second endless tension cable 534 extends around the second set ofbosses 524 and a pair of retention members 536 extending from anintermediate post 538.

When an unauthorized vehicle impacts the panel assembly 528, some of theshear posts 522 and 524 will be sheared, but a sufficient number of theshear posts will remain intact to prevent the vehicle from passingthrough the panel assembly.

As shown in FIG. 28, a foundation 540 is formed with a concavebarrel-like recess 542, which is open at the top. A post 544 is formedwith a barrel-like base 546, which is complementary to, and situated in,the recess 542. When a vehicle fence (not shown), which includesintermediate posts such as the post 544, is impacted by an unauthorizedvehicle, the post 544 will rock to a position as shown in phantom toabsorb the energy of the impact, and will return to the upright positionby gravity when the vehicle is removed.

Referring to FIG. 29, an intermediate foundation/post assembly 559includes a foundation 560 formed with a open-top recess 562, which isgenerally concave as viewed from the side of the foundation, with therecess being formed with a bottom 563. A post 564 is formed with a base566 which, as viewed from the side thereof, is complementary to theside-view configuration of the recess 562, and is formed with a bottom567, which does not extend to the bottom 563 of the recess 562. Withthis concave-like structure, the post 564 is allowed to rock from frontto back with respect to the foundation 560.

As viewed in FIG. 30, from the front of the foundation 560 of FIG. 29,the open-top recess 562 is formed with inwardly tapered, spaced,interfacing walls 568 and 570 from the bottom 563 to the top thereof.Also, as viewed from the front in FIG. 30, the base 566 of the post 564is formed on opposite sides thereof with inwardly tapered walls 572 and574, from top to bottom thereof, which are complementary to the taperedwalls 568 and 570 of the recess 562. With this structural arrangement,the base 566 is wedged in the recess 562, with the bottom 567 of thebase 566 being spaced above the bottom 563 of the recess 562. With thiswedging structure, the post 564 is precluded from moving from side toside relative to the foundation 560.

The post 564 is formed with a beam 576 which extends upward from, andintegrally with, the base 566. A plurality of through openings 578 areformed through the beam 576 to provide passage for tension cables 580therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 31, an intermediate, L-shaped foundation and postassembly 582, which is similar to the assembly 186 shown in FIG. 6,includes a post 584 integrally formed with a foundation 586. The post584 is formed with openings 588 for receipt of tension cables (notshown). When the post/foundation assembly 582 is assembled as acomponent of a barrier fence, the post 584 extends upward from thefoundation 586, which is located in the soil 106 slightly below groundlevel 110.

When a vehicle impacts, and attempts to pass beyond, the tension cables,the cables are moved in the direction of travel of the vehicle wherebythe posts 584 of two spaced post/foundation assemblies 582 are moved toposition as shown in phantom in FIG. 31. At the same time, thefoundations 586 of the two spaced post/assemblies 582 revolves partiallyto pivot the foundations 586 out of the soil 106 to the position shownin phantom. As the foundations 586 pivot out of the soil 106 to engagethe under carriage of the vehicle, thereby elevating and lifting thevehicle upward from ground level 110, and preventing the vehicle fromproceeding past the barrier fence.

Another intermediate foundation and post assembly 589 is shown in FIG.32, and includes a first L-shaped post/foundation unit 590. The unit 590includes a post 592 formed integrally with a foundation 594, with thefoundation and a lower portion of the post being in the soil 106 belowthe ground level 110. The assembly 589 further includes a secondpost/foundation unit 596, which is formed in a reverse-L-shapedconfiguration. The unit 596 includes a post 598 formed integrally with afoundation 600, with the foundation and a lower portion of the postbeing in the soil 106 below the ground level 110. An inward surface 602of the first unit 590 is in interfacing engagement with an inwardsurface 604 of the second unit 596.

A plurality of spaced grooves 606 are formed in the surface 602 of thepost 592 for receipt of tension cables 608. A corresponding plurality ofspaced ribs 610 extend from the surface 604 of the post 598, partiallyinto the grooves 606 to retain the tension cables 608 within thegrooves.

With respect to the following description of the structures shown inFIGS. 33 and 34, it is noted that the bottom of the structure shown inFIG. 33 overlaps the top of the structure shown in FIG. 34. It is to beunderstood that the illustrations of FIGS. 33 and 34 relate to twodifferent and distinct structures, and the overlapping portions of FIGS.33 and 34 are not intended to show that there is any connection betweenthe two structures.

As shown in FIG. 33, an intermediate foundation and post assembly 612 isformed with a foundation 614, which is located within the soil 106, anda post 616 extending upward from the foundation. The foundation 614 isalso formed with a shelf 618, which is generally planar with the groundlevel 110 of the soil 106. A plurality of spaced grooves 620 are formedin an inward surface 622 of the post 616 for receipt of tension cables624. A side cover 626, or side cap, is formed with a flat inward surface628, which interfaces with the inward surface 622 of the post 616 tocover the plurality of grooves 620 and thereby retain the tension cables624 within the grooves.

In a first embodiment of the side cover 626, the cover is formed with aflat bottom surface 630, which is located and supported on the shelf 618of the foundation 614. In a second embodiment of the side cover 626, abucket-shaped bore 625 is formed in the shelf 618 of the foundation 614,and a bucket-shaped projection 627, having a shape complementary to theshape of the bore, is formed on, and extends downward from, the bottomsurface 630 of the side cover 626. In assembly, the projection 627 islocated within the bore 625 to preclude lateral shifting of the bottomof the side cover 626 relative to the foundation 614.

A cap 632 is formed with a recess 634 in the underside thereof. Therecess 634 is formed with a continuous side wall 636, which ispositioned over, and is generally in the configuration of, the exteriorof the upper portions of the assembled post 616 and the side cover 626.With this complementary structure, and with respect to both the firstembodiment and the second embodiment of the side cover 626, the cap 632retains the side cover with the post 616. In addition, the cap 632 isformed with tie bars 638 to strengthen the cap.

Referring to FIGS. 34 and 34 a, an end post 640, as viewed from a sidethereof, is formed with a recess 642 in one side 644 of the post. Therecess 642 is formed with a floor 646, and an upper wall 648 and a lowerwall 649. It is noted that the recess 642 could also be formed with sidewalls, which, in combination with the upper wall 648 and the lower wall649, form a continuous wall of the recess. The post 640 is also formedwith a hole 650, which is in communication with the recess 642 and whichextends through a portion of the post from the floor 646 of the recessto another side 652 of the post.

An intermediate portion of a tension cable 654 is located within thehole 650, and extends from opposite ends of the hole. An end portion 656of the cable 654 extends from the hole 650, through the recess 642, andslightly out of the recess, where the cable is threaded. In anarrangement similar to that of FIG. 1, and with reference to FIG. 34 a,each of a plurality of energy absorbers 658, which may be crushableelements composed of a ductile material, is formed in the configurationof the frustum of a cone, and is formed with a base 660 having an axialhole 662 extending through the base. Each of the plurality of energyabsorbers 658 is formed with a continuous side wall 664 which tapersoutwardly from the base 660 at a prescribed angle to define a recess666.

The plurality of energy absorbers 658 are arranged in a stack, with theholes 662 thereof being aligned and positioned over the end portion 656of the cable 654. In this arrangement, the recesses 666 of the stackedenergy absorbers are facing toward the floor 646 of the post 640, withthe open end of the innermost cup being located adjacent the floor. Acable clamp assembly 668 includes a clamping element 670, which isformed with a tapered-wall recess 672 in one end 674 thereof, and arecess floor 676. A hole 678 is formed through the element 670 betweenthe floor 676 and another side 680 of the element. A portion 682 of therecess 672, which is contiguous with the one side 674, is also threaded.An externally tapered segment 684, which is in the configuration of thefrustum of a cone, is formed with a hole 686 which includes at least oneraised tooth to clampingly engage with the cable. A ring nut 688 isthreaded on the peripheral surface thereof. This describes one suchmeans of securing the end of a tension member. It should be noted thatthere are many suitable means that are within the scope of theinvention, including means that are well known in the art, to secure theend of the cable.

After the plurality of energy absorbers 658 have been stacked onto thecable 654, the clamping element 670 is placed over the cable to sandwichthe energy absorbers between the clamping element and the floor 646 ofthe post 640. Thereafter, the tapered segment 668 is clamped onto aportion of the cable 654, and is moved snugly into the tapered recess ofthe element 670. The ring nut 688 is then threadedly assembled withinthe threaded portion 682 of the recess 672 of the element 670 to therebyretain the clamp assembly 668 in the assembled position, and to maintainthe plurality of energy absorbers 658 in the stacked arrangement on thecable 654.

If an unauthorized vehicle attempts to proceed through a barrier fencewith the plurality of energy absorbers 658, the cable 654 is pulled in adirection, which results in the clamp assembly 668 being moved fartherinto the recess 642 of the post 640. As the clamp assembly 668 is movedfarther into the recess 642, at least some of the energy absorbers 658,if not all, will be crushed to absorb the energy resulting from themoving vehicle engaging the cable 654. In this manner, as clamping means668 moves over a distance within recess 642, impeded by energy absorbers658, the vehicle is decelerated over a period of time. The longer thedistance clamping means 668 moves within the recess, the longer theperiod of time in which the vehicle is decelerated. Increasing thedistance within the recess, and, coordinately, the period of time inwhich the vehicle is decelerated will, in turn, lower the forcenecessary to decelerate the vehicle, which in turn reduces the forceapplied to the cable. In this manner, the vehicle may be prevented frommoving through the barrier fence.

To return the barrier fence to a vehicle-impediment mode, the clampassembly 668 is removed from the end of the cable 654, the crushedenergy absorbers 658 are removed, the cable 654 is retensioned, anotherplurality of energy absorbers 658 are installed, and the clamp assemblyis repositioned to retain the newly-installed energy absorbers withinthe recess 642 of the post 640.

Referring to FIG. 35, in an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 34, anend foundation and post assembly 689 includes a post 690, which isformed integrally with a foundation 692, and which is also formed with abeam 694 and three spaced arms 696, 698 and 700, extending laterallyfrom the beam. Openings 702 and 704 are formed by the spacing of thearms 696, 698 and 700. End portions of a pair of tension cables 706 and708 extend through spaced openings formed in beam 694, and intorespective ones of the openings 702 and 704. Respective sets (one shown)of a plurality of the energy absorbers 658 (FIG. 34) are stacked on thetension cables 706 and 708, and are held in place by respective cableclamp assemblies 668 and 668 a.

While the energy absorbers 658 are shown only in opening 704 between thecable clamp 668 and a base floor 710 of the opening 704, a similar stackof the energy absorbers also would be placed over the tension cable 706in the opening 702, and are captured between a cable clamp 668 a and abase floor 712 of the opening 702. When a moving unauthorized vehicleengages the tension cables 706 and 708, the cables are pulled to theright, as viewed in FIG. 35, whereby the cable clamp assemblies 668 and668 a are moved farther into the respective openings 702 and 704. Theenergy absorbers 658, in each of the openings 702 and 704, are therebysqueezed and some, if not all, of the energy absorbers are crushed tobear the brunt of the forces resulting from the vehicle engaging thetension cables 706 and 708. The crushed energy absorbers 658 arereplaced with uncrushed energy absorbers, as described above, when thebarrier fence is to be restored to the vehicle-impediment state.

Referring to FIG. 36, an end foundation and post assembly 714 includes afoundation 716 and a post 718, with a base 720 of the post wedged in arecess 722 of the foundation. A beam 724 of the post 718 is formed withan opening 726, in which the end of a tension cable 728 is located. In amanner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 35, the energy absorbers 658are positioned about the end of the tension cable 728, and are locatedwithin an opening 730 formed in the beam 724. The cable clamp assembly668 is attached to the end of the cable 728. Further, a cover 732 isheld against one wall of the beam 724 to cover the opening 726.

When an unauthorized vehicle attempts to pass through the barrier fence,which includes the end foundation/post assembly 714, the vehicle engagesand stretches the tension cable 728, whereby some or all of the energyabsorbers 658 are crushed to absorb the energy resulting from thevehicle engaging the tension cable.

As shown in FIG. 37, an intermediate foundation and post assembly 734includes a first unit 736 having a beam 738 and an integral foundation740, with three vertically-spaced projections 742 a, 742 b and 742 cextending from one wall 744 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 38, the projections 742 a and 742 c are verticallyaligned, and the projection 742 b is offset from vertical alignment withthe projections 742 a and 742 c. A single tension cable 746 is placedabout the projections 742 a, 742 b and 742 c in a serpentine fashion. Ifdesired, the tension cable 746 can be formed by two tension cables, theends of which can be connected by use of a cable coupler 745 toeffectively provide a single strand.

Referring again to FIG. 37, the assembly 734 further includes a secondunit 747 having a beam 748 and a foundation 750, with spaced recesses752 a, 752 b and 752 c formed in one wall 754 of the beam in a patternfor partial receipt of respective projections 742 a, 742 b and 742 c. Asshown in FIG. 37, the depth of the recesses 752 a, 752 b and 752 c isless than the distance the projections 742 a, 742 b and 742 c extendfrom the wall 744 to allow the cable 746 to be retained between thewalls 744 and 754.

When an unauthorized vehicle engages the tension cable 746, the cable isstressed about the projections 742 a, 742 b and 742 c, whereby one ormore of the projections break away from the beam 736 to absorb theenergy resulting from the vehicle engaging the cable. The assembly 734can be restored to the vehicle-impediment mode by replacing the firstunit 736, with the broken projections 742 a 742 b and 742 c, with a unithaving unbroken projections.

It is noted that the structure described above, with respect to FIGS. 37and 38, could be formed between panels (not shown) which extend betweenspace foundation and post assemblies.

Referring to FIGS. 39, 39 a, 40 and 40 a, an “I” beam 756 of afoundation and post assembly 758 is formed in an “I” shaped crosssection, including flanges 760 and 762 at opposite ends of a linking web764. A plurality of panels 766 are arranged between spaced assemblies758, and can be formed with different end structures to fit into a space768 between the flanges 760 and 762 of the “I” beam 756, and adjacentthe web 764. For example, the panels 766 could be formed with convexends 770, which allow the panel ends to be mounted in the space 768 tofollow the sloping topography of the ground level 110 (FIGS. 39 and 39a), offset spaced beams 756 (FIG. 40), and aligned beams (FIG. 40 a) onlevel or sloping topography. The beam 756 could be formed with pockets(not shown) which are formed in the side of the beam, in place of thecontinuous space 768. The end 770 of each of the panels 766 would thenbe placed in a respective pocket.

As shown in FIG. 41, the web 764 of the “I” beam 756 is formed with athrough passage 772 for receipt of a tension cable 774, which alsoextends through the panel 766. The exterior of the panels 766 can beformed decoratively to enhance the aesthetics of a barrier fence whichincludes the panels. Also, the panels 766 can be formed of materialwhich serves as a vehicle impediment of a barrier fence. Further, thepanels 766 provide concealment for the tension cables 774, which couldotherwise be unsightly if not concealed.

Referring to FIG. 42, a panel 776 is formed in the shape of aparallelogram, which results in vertical ends 778 of the panel, andangled sides 780. The vertical ends 778 of the panel 776 fit into thespace 768 of spaced “I” beams 756, and the angled sides 780 follow theslope of the ground level 110.

As shown in FIG. 43, a panel 782 is formed with a plurality of spacedrecesses 784 are formed in an outer wall 786 of the panel. Each of therecesses 784 is formed upwardly with a pocket 788, which is incommunication with the respective recess. An overhanging section 790 isthereby formed in the panel 782 between each of the pockets 788 and thewall 786 of the panel. Tension cables 792 are placed within, and strungalong the length of, respective ones of the pockets 788. Retainers 794,such as bolts or pins, are attached to a lower portion 796 of theoverhanging sections 790 and an inward wall 798 of each of the recesses784, to retain the tension cables 792 with the panel 782.

The panels 766 (FIG. 39), 776 (FIG. 42), and 782 (FIG. 43) could besurface treated and/or physically shaped to enhance the aesthetics ofany barrier fence formed thereby. For example, referring to FIG. 44, theexterior surface of the panels 766, 776, and 782 could be textured, havegraphic or textured designs, or be formed in attractive geometricalshapes. As illustrated in FIGS. 45 and 48, the panels 766, 776, and 782could be arranged vertically or horizontally, respectively. As shown inFIG. 46, each of the panels 766, 776, and 782 could be formed with avertical center section 800, and a plurality of spaced arms 802extending horizontally from opposite sides of the center section.

The panels 766, 776, and 782 could then be assembled, as shown in FIG.46, with the arms 802 of adjacent panels being in engagement to formopenings 804 between the center sections 800 of the adjacent panels. Asshown in FIG. 47, the panels 766, 776, and 782 could be formed withdecorative patterns of through openings 806 of the same or alternatingshapes. Referring to FIG. 49, the panels 766, 776, and 782 could beformed with an exterior surface 808, which is convex or concave. Asshown in FIG. 50, an end view of the panels 766, 776, and 782 reveals arecess 810 in the top of the panels, which can be used as a planter; athrough passage 812 which forms a chase for tension cables and/or wires;and a profiled surface 816 or a flat surface 818.

Referring to FIGS. 51 and 52, each of a plurality of panels 820 formed,in part, by a rail 822 with a “C” shaped cross section. The “C” shapedcross section results in the formation of “C” shaped channels 824, whichextend along the length of the rails 822 for receipt of tension cables826 therethrough. The plurality of panels 820 are completed by aretainer strap 828, which is placed over the openings of the “C” shapedchannels 824, thereby covering the openings to retain, and conceal, thetension cables 826 within the channels. The retainer straps 828 areattached to the rails 822 by the use of pins, bolts or anchors 830. Itis noted that the retainer straps 828 could be a single strap whichextends across all of the channel openings of the plurality of rails822, or could be individual straps, with each of the straps beingattached to a respective one of the plurality of rails.

As shown in FIG. 53, a plurality of posts 832 a, 832 b, and 832 c areequally spaced (e.g., approximately eight feet apart) along theformation of a section of a barrier fence. Where there is no slope inthe terrain, such as that between the posts 832 a and 832 b, a panel834, formed with a width of eight feet, can be used between the posts832 a and 832 b. Where there is a slope in the terrain, such as thatbetween the posts 832 b and 832 c, four panels 836, each formed with awidth of two feet, can be assembled in ascending fashion to accommodatethe rise in that portion of the barrier fence due to the slope of theterrain. Note that the single panel 834 can be formed with three spacedvertical stripes or grooves 838. In effect, this provides an appearancethat the single panel 834, having a width of eight feet, is formed byfour separate panels, each having a width of two feet. This enhances theaesthetics of the barrier fence by establishing uniformity in appearancebetween the single panel 834 and the four separate panels 836.

Referring to FIG. 54, in an end view of the panel 782 (FIG. 43), apocket 840 is formed in the inner wall 798 of the recess 784. A concreteanchor 842 is mounted securely in the pocket 840, and a bolt 844 isdriven into the concrete anchor to retain the tension cable 792 withinthe pocket 788. Also, the bolt 844 is formed with a tamper-proof head846.

Referring to FIG. 55, in an end view of a panel 848, a recess 850 havingopposed tapered walls is formed in one wall 852 of the panel. A pocket854 is formed in the panel, upwardly from the recess 850, for receipt ofa tension cable 856. A concrete retainer block 858 is formed withtapered sides, which are complementary to the tapered opposed taperedwalls of the recess 850. The block 858 is inserted into the recess 850,and is held in place by a tamper-proof bolt, to retain the tensioncables 856 within the pocket 854.

Referring to FIG. 56, in and end view, a barrier fence includes aplurality of panels 860, which are stacked for arrangement betweenspaced posts or beams (not shown). Each panel 860 is formed with ahorizontal groove 862 on a common wall thereof for receipt of tensioncables 864. The uppermost panel 860 a is formed with a laterallyenlarged top 866, and has a recess 868 formed therein, which extendsfrom one end to the opposite end of the panel. The recess 868 can beused as a planter for aesthetic purposes. The illustration of FIG. 56can also represent stacked sections of a post or beam, with a planter atthe top.

Referring to FIG. 57, in an end view, a barrier fence includes aplurality of panel sections 870, each of which is formed at the bottomthereof with keying rib 872 extending from one end of the section to theopposite end thereof. Each of the panel sections 870 is formed with akeying groove 874, which extends from one end of the section to theopposite end thereof. The panel sections 870 are stacked such that thekeying rib 872 of each section is placed within the keying groove 874 ofthe section therebelow, to lock the sections together in the formationof a panel. Each of the panel sections is formed with a side groove 876for receipt of a tension cable 878 therein. The illustration of FIG. 57could also represent keyed sections of a beam or post.

Referring to FIG. 58, in a barrier fence similar to that illustrated inFIG. 9, each of two panels 880 is formed with an enlarged-end head 882,which extends from top to bottom of the panel. A generally semi-circulargroove 884 is formed in a free-end edge 886 of the head 882. The twopanels 880 are assembled with a post 888, which is formed generally witha round cross section. Generally, the interfacing grooves 884 of the twoassembled panels 880 conform to the size and shape of the post 888 suchthat the heads 882 of the two panels wrap around the post. Upon assemblyof the panels 880 with the post 888, the free-end edges 886 of each ofthe panels 880 compressingly engage with each other to facilitate a firmclosure about the post. It is noted that the cross section of the post888 and the configuration of the interfacing grooves 884 do not have tobe circular, but could be of any other complementary configuration orcould be of dissimilar configurations provided that the post iscontained within the interfacing grooves.

As shown in FIG. 59, in a top view, each side of a post 890 is cast witha groove 892, the width of which is approximately the same as thethickness of a panel 894. Two panels 894 (one shown) are assembledwithin respective ones of the grooves 892 with a sliding fit.

As shown in FIG. 60, spaced portions 896 of a tension cable 898 areassembled generally coaxially within two spaced posts 900, such that thecable portions are anchored within the posts. This arrangement places aforce in compression on the posts 900. In addition, the ends of thecable 898 may be attached to movable weights 902 to absorb energy of avehicle engaging the cable.

Referring to FIG. 61, in a manner similar to that of FIG. 39, oppositeends 904 of a panel 906 are each formed in a convex configuration tofacilitate vertical displacement of the panel due to changes in theground-level topography.

Referring to FIG. 62, in an arrangement similar to that illustrated inFIG. 20, a first set of tension cables 908 form a barrier fence, whichincludes two spaced posts 910. The cables 908 define a secured areabeyond which unauthorized vehicles are not allowed. A second set ofcables 912, of lighter weight than the first set of tension cables 908,extend outward from the posts 910 to a second set of posts similar toposts 910 (not shown) to form a security-clearance holding pen 914. Gateopenings 916 are formed in each of the sets of cables 908 and 912 toallow for the entry of a vehicle into the pen 914 and, if authorized,then into the secured area. In a manner similar to that of FIG. 19,steps could be provided over the cables 908, or a tunnel below thecables, for pedestrian traffic.

As shown in FIG. 63, a top 918 of each of a plurality spaced posts 920(one shown), of a barrier fence, is rounded for aesthetic purposes.Panels (not shown), which are located between the posts 920, may also berounded at the top thereof.

Referring to FIG. 64, a tension cable 922 extends from a given side of apost 924. A gusset 926 is attached to the given side of the post 924 tocounteract forces encountered when the cable is pulled taut. As shown inFIG. 64 a, if the post 924 is a corner post, gussets 926 would beattached to the sides of the post from which the cable 922 extends.

Referring to FIGS. 65 and 65 a, a tension cable 928 extends from oneside of a post 930 in a given direction. An anchor cable 932 is attachedat one end thereof to an upper portion of the post 930, on a side of thepost opposite the one side thereof. An opposite end of the anchor cable932 is attached to the ground. When each of two tension cables 928extends from opposite sides of the post 930, two anchor cables 932 areattached at one end thereof to the same opposite sides of the post fromwhich the tension cables extend. The opposite ends of the anchor cables932 are attached to the ground. The tension cables 928 can beselectively concealed within panels 934 for decorative purposes.

Referring to FIG. 66, a tension cable 936 extends between two spacedposts 938, with an intermediate portion of the cable being concealedwithin a decorative panel 940. A pair of legs 942 are attached at thetops thereof to the bottom of the panel 940, with the bottoms of thelegs resting on the ground level 110. In this manner, the panel 940 issupported by the ground level 110, through the legs 942, to minimizeforces exerted on the panel as a result of the cable 936 being containedwithin the panel. This principle is similar to the principle noted abovewherein the bottom of each of the panels 252 (FIG. 12) could be extendedto the ground level 110 for support of each panel thereby.

Referring to FIG. 67, occasionally, the diameter of a single tensioncable, contemplated for use in a barrier fence to oppose the passage ofan unauthorized vehicle, is too large for such a use. In such instances,a plurality of smaller tension cables 944, extending between a pair ofspaced posts 946 can be used in place of the single large cable,provided that the smaller cables combine to present at least the sameopposition to the passage of the vehicle as the opposition presented bythe single large cable.

As shown in FIG. 68, a barrier fence 948 is formed by a plurality ofspaced foundation and post assemblies 950, with decorative andaesthetically-pleasing panels 952 extending between the assemblies. Eachof the plurality of assemblies 950 includes a foundation 954 and anintegrally formed post 956. Each of the panels 952 is formed by a lowercylindrical section 958, a generally flat horizontal top rail section960, and an intermediate flat section 962 extending vertically betweenthe lower section and the top rail section. Tension cables (not shown)can be concealed within the panels 952. The sections 958, 960 and 962 ofeach panel 952 can be integrally cast as a single unit, or can beseparate elements which are assembled to form the panel.

As shown in FIG. 69, a decorative panel 964 includes a rectangularlyshaped centerpiece 966, with a plurality of spaced pickets 968 extendingfrom the bottom to the top of the centerpiece. Decorative caps 970 areplaced over the ends of each the pickets 968 at the top and bottomthereof.

As shown in FIG. 70, a decorative panel 972 formed in a rectangularshape, with geometrical designs 974 located on a major surface of thepanel.

As shown in FIG. 71, a decorative panel 976 formed in a rectangularshape, with a portion of a major surface of the panel having decorativeartwork 978 formed thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 72 and 73, a barrier fence 980 includes two spacedend posts 984, which are anchored to the ground. A plurality ofintermediate posts 986, which can be unanchored, are spaced from eachother, and from the end posts 984. Two sets of tension cables 983 and985 are strung from respective ones of the end posts 984 and through theintermediate posts 986, as illustrated in FIG. 72. The tension cables983 and 985 are concealed in a plurality of panels 987 located betweenadjacent intermediate posts 986 and between each of the end posts 984and the adjacent intermediate post.

A pedestrian security-check pen 988 is formed by a pair of spaced penwalls 990, which extend from, and are parallel with, interfacing walls992 of the end posts 984. A securable, and normally closed, outboarddoor 996 is located at an outboard end of the pen 988, and betweenspaced outboard ends of the pen walls 990. A securable, and normallyclosed, inboard door 998 is located at an inboard end of the pen 988,and between spaced inboard ends of the pen walls 990. The pen walls 990,and the doors 996 and 998 are made from a material such as steel, orother material and construction, so as to be resistant to a batteringram, a fire axe, a sledge hammer, or the like.

In use, a pedestrian requests entry through the door 996 by use of, forexample, an intercom. The door 996 can be unlocked by an attendant byuse of a remote-actuated magnetic lock assembly (not shown), therebyallowing the pedestrian to advance into the pen 988, whereafter the doormay be locked. A sensing device 1000, such as, for example, a videocamera, is trained, for example, on features of the pedestrian's facefor review by security personnel from a remote location. If thepedestrian is recognized as being authorized for entry, the inboardsecured door 998 is unlatched by use, for example, of aremotely-actuated magnetic lock (not shown) to allow passage of theauthorized pedestrian therethrough. If the pedestrian is not authorizedto enter beyond the barrier fence 980, the door 998 remains latched. Asnoted above, the outboard door 996 may be locked after the pedestrianhas entered the pen 988. If it is determined that the pedestrian is notauthorized to enter beyond the barrier fence 980, and the outboard door996 has been locked after the pedestrian has entered the pen 988, thepedestrian is thereby detained within the pen 988 for further action bythe security personnel.

Other types of known sensing devices can be used in place of the videocamera, including devices for examining various features of the anatomyof the pedestrian. For example, such sensing devices could examine thepedestrian's eyes, fingertips (fingerprints), and the like, and comparesuch observed features with characteristic anatomical data of authorizedpedestrians previously stored in a computer. Also, anexplosive-proximity sensor (not shown) could be located within the pen988 to sense whether the pedestrian is contaminated, in some manner,with an explosive material. If the pedestrian's anatomical features arenot recognized, or any trace of explosives are detected, the door 998remains latched, and the pedestrian is not allowed to enter the securedarea beyond the barrier fence 980. As noted above, the unauthorizedpedestrian can be retained within the pen 988 by the locking of bothdoors 996 and 998 for further action by the security personnel.

Referring to FIG. 74, an end post 1002 of a barrier fence 1004 isanchored to the ground, and tension cables 1006 extend from the end postthrough intermediate posts 1008, with the cables being conceal within aplurality of panels 1010 located between the intermediate posts. Astairway 1012 is located adjacent a portion of the barrier fence 1004,on an unsecured side thereof. A pedestrian security-check pen 1014extends from the top of the stairway 1012, over the highest elevation ofthe barrier fence 1004, and to the secured side of the fence. The pen1014 is structured essentially identically to the pen 988, as shown inFIG. 73. If a pedestrian seeks entry into the secured area beyond thebarrier fence 1004, the pedestrian ascends the stairway 1012, andproceeds as described above with respect to the pen 988.

The security-check facility, as illustrated in FIG. 74, does not requirecostly anchored end posts such as that illustrated in FIGS. 72 and 73.

Referring to FIG. 75, an end post 1016 of a barrier fence is formed witha hollow interior 1018, and is shown with a top thereof removed toreveal a brake-pad restraining arrangement 1020 contained within the endpost. The end post 1016 can be composed of concrete, or similarmaterial. The brake-pad restraining arrangement 1020 includes a pair ofbrake pads or plates 1022 and 1024, which are constrained within the endpost 1016 in a stacked arrangement such that respective surfaces 1026and 1028 thereof are interfacing. The brake plates 1022 and 1024 can becomposed of any material, such as metal, ceramic, or the like, whichwill provide a frictional interface.

The interfacing surfaces 1026 and 1028 may be formed with respectivelongitudinal arcuate grooves 1030 and 1032, which interface with eachother when the respective surfaces are interfacing. A plurality offastening elements 1034, such as Allen head cap screws and matchingnuts, are strategically placed through the pair of plates 1022 and 1024to retain the pair of plates in the stacked arrangement.

The barrier fence also includes at least one tension cable 1036, or wirerope, which extends between, for example, a pair of the end posts 1016(one shown). As shown, a portion of the tension cable 1036 extendsthrough an opening 1038 in, and into the interior of, the end post 1016,and is located within the interfacing arcuate grooves 1030 and 1032 ofthe brake plates 1022 and 1024, respectively, and is clampedtherebetween under a prescribed restraining force provided by theplurality of fastening elements 1034. It is within the scope of theinvention that surfaces 1026 and 1028 have planar surfaces and clamp ona flat plate which is attached to the cable by any of a number ofsuitable fastening means such as, for example, a shackle.

When a vehicle impacts the portion of the tension cable 1036 between thespaced end posts 1016, the clamped portions of the cable, within the endposts, are allowed to move slightly axially within the arcuate grooves1030 and 1032, and under the prescribed restraining force, in a mannersimilar to a restraining force of an “arresting cable” used to brake anincoming aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Under africtional braking force of the brake-pad restraining arrangement 1020,the vehicle is stopped after traveling a short distance following impactwith the tension cable 1036.

The brake plates 1022 and 1024 can be composed of any materialincluding, for example, metal, ceramic, leather, fabric, composites, orthe like, which will facilitate the frictional braking of the axialmovement of the tension cable 1036 within the brake-pad restrainingarrangement 1020, when the vehicle impacts the cable.

As shown in FIG. 76, an end post 1040 of a barrier fence is formed by aplurality of stackable tub-shaped modules 1042 (two shown), which may becomposed of concrete or the like. The number of modules 1042 to bestacked to form the end post 1040 is optional, and is determined by thedesigner of the barrier fence. The end post 1040 is setting on theground level 110 of the soil 106, and may be secured to abelow-ground-level foundation. Each of the modules 1042 is formed withan undershoulder 1044 and a base 1046, which is spaced from, andparallel with, the undershoulder. Each module 1042 is further formedwith a bevelled surface 1048, which links the undershoulder 1044 withthe base 1046.

Each of the modules 1042 is also formed with a top edge 1050 and a and arecessed ledge 1052, which is spaced from, and parallel with, the topedge, and a bevelled surface 1054, which links the top edge and therecessed ledge. Each module 1042 is formed with a tub-like opening 1056,which extends from top edge 1050 to a floor 1058 of the module, spacedinboard from, and parallel with, the base 1046 thereof.

The undershoulder 1044, the base 1046 and the bevelled surface 1048, andthe top edge 1050, the recessed ledge 1052 and the bevelled surface1054, are formed in a complementary fashion to facilitate the stackingof the modules 1042 in such a manner so as to preclude lateral shiftingof one module relative to adjacent modules.

A lid 1060, also composed of concrete or the like, is formed with anundershoulder 1062, a base 1064 and a linking bevelled surface 1066, tofacilitate positioning of the lid over, and partially into, the opening1056 of the uppermost module 1042 of the plurality of stacked modules.

Referring to FIG. 77, spaced opposing side walls 1068 a and 1068 b ofeach module 1042 are formed with cable passages 1070 a and 1070 b,respectively. Each of a pair of tension cables 1072 a and 1072 b isformed with an exterior section, outside of the module 1042, and aninterior section within the module. The tension cable 1072 a extendsfrom a location outside of the module 1042, through the cable passage1070 a, into the opening 1056, and nearly to the side wall 1068 b.Similarly, the tension cable 1072 b extends from a location outside ofthe module 1042, through the cable passage 1070 b, into the opening1056, and nearly to the side wall 1068 a.

As shown in FIGS. 77 and 77 a, a pair of spaced shock-absorbing discs1074 a and 1074 b are located within the opening 1056 of the module1042, and are attached to interior ends of the tension cables 1072 a and1072 b, respectively. Thereafter, the tub-like opening 1056 of eachmodule 1042 is filled with a viscous material such as, for example, dryor liquid silica 1075, in a pure or an impure form. In this manner, thediscs 1074 a and 1074 b, and the interior sections of the respectivecables 1072 a and 1072 b, are buried within the silica. The oppositeends of the exterior sections of the tension cables 1072 a and 1072 bare attached to other tensioning facilities, which could be shockabsorbing discs located in other silica-filled modules of end postsspaced from the end post 1040.

Each of a pair of sacrificial tensioning links 1076 a and 1076 b isattached, at one end thereof, to an adjacent interior wall of theopening 1056, and, at an opposite end thereof, to a respective one ofthe discs 1074 a and 1074 b. Such attachment of the sacrificialtensioning links 1076 a and 1076 b insures that the respective discs1074 a and 1074 b are retained at a desired location within the tub-likeopening 1056, at least during a period when the silica 1075 is beingdeposited into the tub-like opening.

Referring to FIG. 77 a, when the exterior section of the tension cable1072 a is impacted by a vehicle V1, the cable is stretched axially tomove the disc 1074 a within the silica 1075, whereby the shock of thevehicle impact with the cable is absorbed by the silica and the end post1040. Similarly, when the exterior section of the tension cable 1072 bis impacted by a vehicle V2, the cable is stretched axially to move thedisc 1074 b within the silica 1075, whereby the shock of the vehicleimpact with the cable is absorbed by the silica and the end post 1040.It is noted that, while the plan view of FIG. 77 a shows that the endpost 1040, and each module 1042 of the end post, are round or circular,they could be formed in other shapes, such as, for example, square orrectangular.

As shown in FIG. 78, a plurality of tension members 1078 (two shown) arelocated around the perimeter of the stacked modules 1042, with eachmember extending through the stacked modules. A lower end of eachtension member 1078 is attached to a retainer 1079, which, in turn, isembedded in a concrete anchor footer 1081, extending into the soil 106,below the ground level 110.

For illustration purposes, the cable 1072 b extends into the opening1056 of the uppermost module, and is secured to the disc 1074 b. If avehicle impacts the cable 1072 a, and pulls the disc 1074 b to theright, as described above, the uppermost module 1042 would roll, or tip,to the right, and disturb the integrity of the post 1040. However, themounting arrangement of the tension members 1078 prevents any rolloverof the uppermost module 1042 when the cable 1072 b is impacted by thevehicle.

It is noted that each of the modules 1042 of the post 1040, of FIG. 78,could include the discs 1074 a and 1074 b, secured to associated cables1072 a and 1072 b, respectively, with the discs and module-enclosedportions of the cables, buried in the silica, in the manner shown inFIG. 77. With this fully complemented assembly, the tension members 1078would preclude any rollover of the modules, in the manner describedabove.

Referring to FIG. 79, a subterranean concrete anchor 1080 is locatedwithin the soil 106, with an upper surface 1082 of the anchor being inthe plane of the ground level 110. A plurality of spaced notches 1084,or channels, are formed in the upper surface 1082 of the anchor 1080.The end post 1040 includes the plurality of stacked modules 1042, withthe lowermost module formed with a plurality of projections 1086, orribs, in an undersurface 1088 thereof, which extend away from theundersurface.

In assembly, the projections 1086, or the ribs, of the lowermost module1042 b are located within the notches 1084, or channels, of thesubterranean anchor 1080, to thereby anchor the end post 1040. Thistechnique of anchoring the end post 1040 is particularly useful in areaswhere the soil 106 is weak.

Referring to FIG. 80, the end post 1040 of the barrier fence includesthe plurality of stacked modules 1042 and 1042 a, and the lid 1060, inthe manner described above. With respect to the module 1042, each of thetension cables 1072 a and 1072 b extends into the opening 1056 of themodule, and is coupled to a respective one of the discs 1074 a and 1074b, in the manner described above. Each of the cables 1072 a and 1072 bextends from the module 1042, and is coupled to a respective panel 1090(one shown).

A first plurality of spaced sacrificial projections 1092 b are formedintegrally with the floor 1058 of the lowermost, or first, module 1042,and extend upward into the opening 1056 of the module, toward, butspaced from and below, the cable 1072 b. A second plurality of spacedsacrificial projections 1094 b are formed integrally with theundersurface 1046 of the superjacent, or second, module 1042 a, which isstacked immediately above the first module 1042. The second plurality ofprojections 1094 b of the second module 1042 a extend downward into theopening 1056 of the first module 1042, toward, but spaced from andabove, the cable 1072 b, and are located in vertical alignment with thefirst plurality of projections.

The first plurality of projections 1092 b, and the second plurality ofprojections 1094 b, which are in vertical alignment, are located in apath of movement of the disc 1074 b to the right, as viewed in FIG. 80.

Each of the projections 1092 b and 1094 b are strengthened in theirformation with the floor 1058 and the undersurface 1046 of therespective modules 1042 and 1042 a by sections of rebar, which extendthrough the projections and into adjacent portions of the respectivemodules.

When a vehicle impacts the tension cable 1072 b, or an associated panel1090, the portion of the cable 1072 b, within the opening 1056 of thefirst module 1042, is stretched axially, whereby the single disc 1074 bmoves to the right toward, and begins to engage, the projections 1092 band 1094 b. Upon continued movement of the single disc 1074 b to theright, the projections 1092 b and 1094 b are broken away from formationwith the floor 1058 and the undersurface 1046, respectively, of therespective modules 1042 and 1042 a. In this manner, the sacrificialprojections 1092 b and 1094 b, in conjunction with the moving singledisk 1074 b, provide absorption of the shock resulting from the impactof the vehicle with the cable 1072 b or the associated panel 1090.

This arrangement can be repeated in successively higher modules 1042,with the uppermost module and the lid 1060 ultimately forming thesupport for the projections 1092 b and 1094 b, respectively, which arelocated in the opening 1056 of the uppermost module.

A third plurality of spaced sacrificial projections 1092 a (onepartially shown) are formed integrally with the floor 1058 of thelowermost, or first, module 1042, and extend upward into the opening1056 of the module, toward, but spaced from and below, the cable 1072 a.A fourth plurality of spaced sacrificial projections 1094 a (onepartially shown) are formed integrally with the undersurface 1046 of thesuperjacent, or second, module 1042 a, which is stacked immediatelyabove the first module 1042. The fourth plurality of projections 1094 aof the second module 1042 a extend downward into the opening 1056 of thefirst module 1042, toward, but spaced from and above, the cable 1072 b,and are located in vertical alignment with the first plurality ofprojections.

The third plurality of projections 1092 a, and the fourth plurality ofprojections 1094 a, are located in a path of movement of the disc 1074 ato the left, as viewed in FIG. 80, and are situated behind the firstplurality of projections 1092 b, and the second plurality of projections1094 b, respectively.

The third plurality of projections 1092 a, and the fourth plurality ofprojections 1094 a, in conjunction with movement of the single disk 1074a to the left as viewed in FIG. 80, provide absorption of the shockresulting from the impact of a vehicle with the cable 1072 a, in themanner described above with respect to the first plurality ofprojections 1092 b and the second plurality of projections 1094 b.

Again, this arrangement can be repeated in successively higher modules1042, with the uppermost module and the lid 1060 ultimately forming thesupport for the projections 1092 a and 1094 a, respectively, which arelocated in the opening 1056 of the uppermost module.

As shown in FIG. 81, a portion of one module 1042 is shown with a well1098 formed in a portion of the top edge 1050 thereof. A lifting bar1100, or any other lifting member, such as an eye bolt, is mounted, andsecured, within the well 1098. A plurality of the wells 1098, each withthe lifting bar 1100, are formed at spaced locations in the top edge1050 of each module 1042, about the top perimeter thereof, to facilitatehandling of the module during the stacking of the modules to form theend post 1040.

Referring to FIG. 82, the end post 1040 of the barrier fence includesthe stacked modules 1042 as described above. End portions of a pair oftension cables 1072 c and 1072 d are spatially located within theopening 1056 of a lowermost one of the modules 1042. The ends of each ofthe pair of spaced cables 1072 c and 1072 d are attached to spacedportions of a common disc 1074 a. Silica 1075 is deposited within theopening 1056 of the lowermost module 1042, thereby burying the disc 1074a and the end portions of the cables 1072 c and 1072 d within thesilica.

The cables 1072 c and 1072 d extend outward from the opening 1056, andform an exterior portion of the barrier fence. The sacrificialtensioning link 1076 is attached, at one end thereof, to an interiorwall of the opening 1056, and at an opposite end to the common disc 1074a, to insure that the disc is retained at a desired location within theopening 1056, at least during a period when the silica 1075 is beingdeposited into the opening.

When exterior portions of the tension cables 1072 c and 1072 d areimpacted by a vehicle, the cables are stretched axially to move thecommon disc 1074 a within the silica 1075, whereby the shock of thevehicle impact with the cables is absorbed by the silica and the endpost 1040. Upon movement of the common disc 1074 a, the sacrificial link1076 is broken, which does not deleteriously affect the shock absorbingreaction described above.

The arrangement with the common disc 1074 a, and the pair of cables 1072c and 1072 d, can be repeated within the openings 1056 of the pluralityof stacked modules 1042.

As shown in FIG. 83, an intermediate post 1102 of a barrier fence isformed with an upstanding beam 1104 and a pedestal or foot 1106 which isresting on the soil at ground level 110. The beam 1104 of the post 1102is formed with a plurality of spaced cable passages 1108, which providethrough-passage for a corresponding plurality tension cables (not shown)of the barrier fence.

When a vehicle impacts the intermediate post 1102, the post will slide,or will roll as shown in phantom in FIG. 83, depending on the parametersof the intermediate post. When the intermediate post 1102 rolls, theportion of the foot, which is farthest from the vehicle, will dig intothe soil, and the portion of the foot, which is closest to vehicle, willpivot upward into destructive engagement with the undercarriage of thevehicle. During the rolling of the intermediate post 1102, the pluralityof the tension cables are stressed to slow, and stop, the continuedmovement of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 84, a round end post 1110, of a barrier fence, isformed by stacking a plurality of circular modules 1112. Each of themodules 1112 is formed with cable passages 1114, which can be arrangedin such a manner that tension cables 1116 enter the end post 1110 from afirst direction, pass through the end post, and can be directed in anyselected direction, which is different from the first direction, uponexiting the end post.

As shown in FIG. 85, the module 1042 is formed with a window 1118 in aside wall 1120 thereof. A detachable funnel 1122, formed generally in aquarter-round cross-section, is positionable adjacent the window 1118,to facilitate the timely deposit of the silica 1075 into the opening1056 of the module 1042, as described above with respect to FIGS. 77 and82.

Referring to FIG. 86, an intermediate post 1124 of a barrier fence isformed with an upstanding beam 1126 and a pedestal or foot 1128. A firstportion 1130 a of a flat plate 1130 is secured to an undersurface 1132of the foot 1128, with a second portion 1130 b of the flat plateextending in cantilever in a direction away from the foot.

A channel, moat, trench, or ditch 1134 is formed in the soil 106 along alength of the fence with an opening 1136 at ground level 110. Theassembly of the first portion 1130 a of the flat plate 1130, and theintermediate post 1124, is placed on the ground at ground level 110,immediately adjacent or over the opening 1136 of the channel 1134 alongthe length of fence, with the first portion 1130 a of the flat plateresting at least partially on the ground and covering the channel 1134,and the second portion 1130 b of the flat plate being located over, andcovering, the channel along the length of fence. With this arrangement,the second portion 1130 b of the flat plate 1130 extends from achannel-side 1138 of the intermediate post 1124.

When a vehicle approaches the channel-side 1138 of the intermediate post1124, and impacts the post, or cables and fence panel adjacent the post,the post and the plate 1130 will slide over the ground, away from thechannel 1134, to thereby expose the now-open channel. If, thereafter, asecond vehicle attempts to approach the intermediate post 1124 from thechannel-side 1138, forward portions of the second vehicle will fall intothe open channel 1134, and be precluded from advancing beyond thechannel.

When impacted by the vehicle, the intermediate post 1124 could rollinstead of sliding, whereby the post and the plate 1130 are pivoted toexpose the open channel 1134.

With this arrangement, whether the intermediate post 1124 slides orrolls upon impact by a vehicle, a redundant barrier is established topreclude movement of two successive vehicles beyond the intermediatepost and the channel 1134.

It is noted that the redundancy principle of the post 1124 and thechannel 1134, as described above, could function without the use of theflat plate 1130. For example, the width of the foot 1128 of the post1124 could be formed with a sufficient dimension that the foot would beplaced over, or straddle, and conceal the channel 1134. When the post1124 is impacted by a vehicle, the post would tip, roll or slide awayfrom the channel 1134, thereby exposing the redundant barrier of thechannel to a second vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 87, an intermediate panel 1140 of a barrier fence isformed, in a casting operation, from reinforced concrete, by pouringfluid concrete into a cavity of a mold, which, upon curing of theconcrete, forms the panel in a desired shape. During the castingprocess, the panel 1140 is formed with a decorative face on one side1142 thereof, and is formed with a plurality of “L” slots 1144 on a side1146 of the panel opposite from the one side. Each of the “L” slots 1144are formed with a long-leg opening 1148, which is perpendicular with theside 1146, and a short-leg opening 1150 which is perpendicular with thelong-leg opening.

When attempts are made to remove the cured concrete panel 1140 from thecavity of the mold, difficulty may be encountered due to the manner inwhich the mold is configured to facilitate the forming of the short-legopenings 1150. To alleviate any difficulty during the removal of thefinished concrete panel 1140 from the mold cavity, and prior to thepouring of the fluid concrete into the cavity, an integral preform 1154is manufactured in the configuration of the plurality of the “L” slots1144.

As the fluid concrete is poured into the cavity of the mold, the fluidconcrete forms about the exterior of the preform 1154. After curing ofthe concrete in the configuration of the panel 1140, the preform 1154 isnow captured with the panel, and the formed assembly of the curedconcrete and the preform can be easily removed from the cavity as anintegral unit.

It is noted that the integral preform 1154 could be composed of PVC,aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material.

In similar fashion, a passage 1156 can be included within the castconcrete for placement of electrical or optical wiring.

When assembling the panel 1140 with each of a plurality of tensioncables 1152, each of the cables is inserted in, and moved through, thelong-leg opening 1148 of a respective one of the plurality of “L” slots1144, and then, with relative movement between the cable and the panel,the cable is moved into the respective short-leg opening 1150. In thismanner, the intermediate panel 1140 is hung from the plurality oftension cables 1152.

Shapes and configurations, other than those of the long leg openings1148 and the short leg openings 1150, of the “L” slots 1144, could beemployed to provide facility for hanging the intermediate panel 1140 onthe tensions cables 1152.

Referring to FIG. 88, each of a plurality of posts 1160, of a barrierfence, is formed with a beam 1162 having a vertically-elongated sidepassage 1164 formed therethrough, which is formed with a prescribedtop-to-bottom dimension. The post 1160 is formed with a foundationcomprising a short foot 1166, which extends laterally, in a firstdirection, from a base of the beam 1162, and a long foot 1168, whichextends laterally from the base of the beam in a second directionopposite the first direction. The beam 1162 is formed with an enlargedsection 1170, above the long foot 1168, with the enlarged section beingformed with a sloping surface 1172 extending downward and outward from atop of the beam.

Each of a plurality of panels 1174, of the barrier fence, is formed witha top-to-bottom dimension, which is less than the prescribedtop-to-bottom dimension, with each panel extending between opposite ends1176 and 1178 thereof. A plurality of cable passages 1179, or conduits,are formed in each panel 1174, and extend between the opposite ends 1176and 1178 of the panel. At each of two ends of each of the cable passages1179, the passage is formed with an opening 1180, which is flared, atleast upward and downward.

In the formation of the barrier fence, a plurality of the posts 1160 arespaced along a sloping terrain 1182, with each post being mounted in avertical orientation. With respect to each post 1160, the opposing ends1176 and 1178 of two adjacent panels 1174 are located within thevertically-elongated passage 1164 of the post.

Due to the sloping terrain 1182, adjacent, spaced vertically-orientedposts 1160 will be mounted at different levels over the sloping terrain.As noted above, the vertically-elongated passage 1164 of the post 1160is formed with the prescribed top-to-bottom dimension, which is greaterthan the top-to-bottom dimension of the panels 1174. This allows serialpost-mounted panels 1174 to be mounted angularly with respect to thevertically-oriented posts 1160, whereby the panels follow the slope ofthe terrain, as illustrated, while the posts remain in the verticalorientation.

With the sloping arrangement of adjacent panels 1174, the centerlines ofthe respective passages 1179 of the panels are offset and not aligned,as illustrated. Therefore, a continuous length of a tension cable 1184,which extends through the respective passages 1179 of adjacent panels1174 will also be offset at the juncture of the adjacent panels.

To accommodate the offset condition of the tension cable 1184, at thejuncture of the adjacent panels 1174, the respective passages 1179 ofadjacent panels 1174 are formed with the upward and downward flaredopenings 1180, as described above. In this manner, the tension cable1184 is allowed to form a jog at the juncture of the adjacent panels1174, but the portions of the cable, which are located within therespective passage 1179 of each panel, essentially are aligned with thecenterline within the respective passage.

It is noted that the openings 1180 could also be formed with flaredportions in other directions, besides upward and downward, such as, forexample, funnel-shaped, to accommodate other directional misalignmentsof the centerlines of the passages 1179.

When a high-speed vehicle impacts the barrier fence, the posts 1160could be moved as a result of such an impact, which could result instretching and lateral movement of the tension cables 1184. Also, thepanels 1174 could shift in such a manner that the centerlines of thepassages 1179 could be offset still farther from the offset misalignmentillustrated in FIG. 88.

If the openings 1180 were not flared, and the panels 1174 are impactedby the high-speed vehicle, the relative shifting of the panels and thetension cables 1184 could cause the cables to engage sharp corners atthe entry and exit ports of the openings, thereby subjecting the cablesto deleterious stresses, resulting in damage to, and even severing of,the cables.

Since the openings 1180 of the panels 1174 are flared, as noted above,the portions of the cables 1184, which are located within the area ofthe flared openings, are allowed to move laterally with minimal stress,and without engaging any sharp corners of the panels. In this manner,the flared openings 1180 provide a stress relief for the tension cables1184 when the barrier fence is impacted by a high-speed vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 89, adjacent integrally-formed panel/post modules 1185a and 1185 b, of a barrier fence, are formed with panels 1186 a and 1186b, respectively, and with post-like structures 1188 a and 1188 b,respectively, at opposing ends thereof. The modules 1185 a and 1185 bare formed with interfacing end surfaces 1187 a and 1187 b,respectively, and are assembled in an end-butting arrangement where thepost-like structures 1188 a and 1188 b, respectively, combine to form anintermediate post 1190 of the barrier fence.

The structure of the modules 1185 a and 1185 b are nearly identical.Therefore, the detailed description below will be limited to the module1185 a, with numerals which identify structural features of the module1185 a being followed by the suffix “a.” It is to be understood that, inFIG. 89, the same numerals, with the suffix “b,” will be used toidentify identical or similar structural features of the module 1185 b.

A pair of spaced cable passages 1194 a and 1196 a are formed in a rearface 1198 a of the module 1185 a. The module 1185 a is formed with apedestal 1200 a, having a prescribed width and a prescribed length,which extends from a lower portion of the rear face 1198 a, with abottom of the pedestal being flush with remaining portions of a bottomof the module 1185 a.

The post-like structure 1188 a of the module 1185 a is formed with aplurality of vertically-aligned spaced projections 1202 a, 1204 a and1206 a, each of which have an end surface which forms a portion of theend surface 1187 a of the module 1185 a. The projection 1202 a includesan upper section 1210 a, which extends upward from a top face 1212 a ofthe module 1185 a, and a rear section 1214 a, which extends outward fromthe rear face 1198 a of the module. The projection 1204 a extendsoutward from the rear face 1198 a of the module 1185 a. The projection1206 a includes an upper rear section 1216 a and a lower rear section1218 a, both of which extend from the rear face 1198 a of the module1185 a.

The lower rear section 1218 a extends rearward farther than the upperrear section 1216 a, and is formed integrally with an upper surface 1220a of the pedestal 1200 a. Also, the lower section 1218 a is formed witha width and a length which are less than the prescribed width and theprescribed length, respectively. Further, an outboard side surface 1222a of the lower rear section 1218 a is bevelled, at a prescribed angle,outward from top to bottom thereof.

It is noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 89, the modules 1185 a and 1185b are spaced slightly apart to show the various structural featuresthereof. When the modules 1185 a and 1185 b are to be assembled, in theprocess of forming the barrier fence, the interfacing end surfaces 1187a and 1187 b may be moved into abutting engagement to form theintermediate post 1190. Thereafter, a pair of tension cables 1224 and1225 are placed laterally into the aligned cable passages 1194 a and1194 b, and 1196 a and 1196 b.

A keeper 1226 is formed integrally with a base section 1228, anintermediate beam section 1230, and a top section 1232. A forward edgeof the top section 1232 is formed with a downturn 1233. A bottom channel1234 is formed in a bottom surface 1236 of the base section 1228, andextends in a rearward direction toward, but not through, an exteriorrear surface 1238 of the base section 1228. Spaced, interfacing sidewalls 1240 and 1242 of the bottom channel 1234 are bevelled at an anglewhich is complementary to the prescribed bevel angle of the sidesurfaces 1222 a and 1222 b of the modules 1185 a and 1185 b,respectively.

A front channel 1244 is formed in a front surface 1246 of theintermediate beam section 1230, and extends, from a location where thefront channel communicates with the bottom channel 1234, toward, but notthrough, the top section 1232 of the keeper 1226. While not illustratedin FIG. 89, an undersurface channel could be formed in an undersurface1248 of the top section 1232 of the keeper 1226, which, at a rear endthereof, is in communication with the front channel 1244, and whichextends toward, but not through, the downturn 1233.

Following the assembling of the modules 1185 a and 1185 b in theabutting relationship as described above, the keeper 1226 is placedover, and onto, the intermediate post 1190. Eventually, the bottomsurface 1236 of the keeper rests on the upper surfaces 1220 a and 1220 bof the pedestals 1200 a and 1200 b, respectively. As the keeper 1226 ismoved into place, the bottom channel 1234 is positioned onto the lowerprojection 1218 a and 1218 b, with the bevelled walls 1240 and 1242 ofthe bottom channel locating onto the bevelled outboard side surfaces1222 a and 1222 b. In addition, the front channel 1244 is located aboutthe rear sections 1214 a and 1214 b of the projections 1202 a and 1202b, respectively, the projections 1204 a and 1204 b, and the upper rearsections 1216 a and 1216 b of the projections 1206 a and 1206 b,respectively. Further, the undersurface channel of the top section 1232is located about the upper sections 1210 a and 1210 b of the projections1202 a and 1202 b.

In this manner, the keeper 1226 is firmly and snugly assembled with theintermediate post 1190 to hold the panel/post modules 1185 a and 1185 bin the assembled relationship, and also to cover adjacent portions ofthe cable passages 1194 a, 1194 b, 1196 a and 1196 b to retain thecables 1224 and 1225 within the passages.

It is noted that the opposite end of the module 1185 a, which end is notshown, could be formed with a post-like structure identical to thepost-like structure 1188 b for abutting assembly with a post-likestructure identical to the post-like structure 1188 a of an adjacentmodule. Similarly, the opposite end of the module 1185 b, which end isnot shown, could be formed with a post-like structure identical to thepost-like structure 1188 a for abutting assembly with a post-likestructure identical to the post-like structure 1188 b of an adjacentmodule. In this manner, a plurality of the modules 1185 a and 1185 b canbe arranged in serial abutting assembly, with the keepers 1226 assembledtherewith, to form continuous sections of the barrier fence.

As shown in FIG. 93, a combination precast panel and post unit 1250includes an “L” shaped member 1252, having a vertical leg 1254 and ahorizontal leg 1256, and an “L” shaped keeper 1290. Referring to FIGS.90 and 91, the vertical leg 1254 of the “L” shaped member 1252 is formedby a solid front portion 1258 having a rear surface 1259. A first set ofthree vertically-spaced tabs 1260 a, 1260 b and 1260 c extend in arearward direction from a rear vertical section of the solid frontportion 1258 of the vertical leg 1254, adjacent one side thereof. Asshown in FIG. 91, a second set of three vertically-spaced tabs 1262 a,1262 b and 1262 c extend in a rearward direction from a rear verticalsection of the solid front portion 1258 of the vertical leg 1254,adjacent a side thereof which is opposite the one side.

As shown in FIG. 91, three pairs of the tabs 1260 a and 1262 a, 1260 band 1262 b, and 1260 c and 1262 c, are spaced horizontally apart by aprescribed distance, which results in the formation of a verticalnesting channel 1263 adjacent the Vertical leg 1254.

Referring again to FIGS. 90 and 91, the horizontal leg 1256 of the “L”shaped member 1252 extends integrally rearward from a lower portion ofthe vertical leg 1254. The horizontal leg 1256 is formed with a solidbottom portion 1264, and with horizontally spaced side walls 1266 and1268, which extend upward from the solid bottom portion. The side walls1266 and 1268 are spaced apart by the prescribed distance, and haveinterfacing surfaces 1265 and 1267, respectively. A floor 1269 is formedin the horizontal leg 1256 above the solid portion 1264, and extendsbetween lower portions of the interfacing surfaces 1265 and 1267 of thespaced side walls 1266 and 1268, respectively.

The horizontal leg 1256 is also formed with a solid rear portion 1270,which is integral with, and extends upward from, the solid bottomportion 1264 of the horizontal leg. The solid rear portion 1270 isformed with a front interior surface 1271, of a prescribed concavity,extending between a rearward portion of the spaced side walls 1266 and1268. The front interior surface 1271 joins, and blends with, the floor1269. The floor 1269, the front interior surface 1271, and theinterfacing surfaces 1265 and 1267 of the horizontal leg 1256 form ahorizontal nesting chamber 1273, which communicates with the verticalnesting channel 1263.

The horizontally spaced side walls 1266 and 1268 are formed with uppersurfaces 1272 and 1274, respectively, which rise upward, at a prescribedslope angle, from the solid rear portion 1270 to respective forward ends1276 and 1278 of the upper surfaces, which are spaced below the tabs1260 c and 1262 c, respectively.

The tabs 1260 a, 1260 b, 1260 c, and the forward end 1276 of the sidewall 1266, are vertically spaced and shaped to form three verticallyspaced slots 1280 a, 1280 b and 1280 c, each of which extend downwardand forward from an entry passage thereof. The tabs 1262 a, 1262 b, 1262c, and the forward end 1278 of the side wall 1268, are vertically spacedand shaped to form three vertically spaced slots 1282 a, 1282 b and 1282c, each of which extend downward and forward from an entry passagethereof. Each respective pair of the slots 1280 a and 1282 a, the slots1280 b and 1282 b, and the slots 1280 c and 1282 c, are horizontallyspaced and aligned, and receive three tension cables 1284, 1286 and1288, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 92, the “L” shaped keeper 1290 is formed with avertical leg 1292 and a horizontal leg 1294, and with a width slightlyless than the above-noted prescribed distance. The vertical leg 1292 isformed with a front face 1296, and with an enlarged head 1298, at anupper end thereof, having a lifting eye 1300 formed therethrough. Thehorizontal leg 1294 is formed integrally with, and extends from, a lowerportion of the vertical leg 1292, rearward to a rear end 1302 of thehorizontal leg. An exterior surface of the rear end 1302 of thehorizontal leg 1294 is formed with a convexity, which is complementaryto the above-noted prescribed concavity. Also, the horizontal leg 1294is formed with a bottom surface 1303 and an upper surface 1304, whichrises from the rear end 1302, at the above-noted prescribed slope angle,to a juncture with a rear face 1306 of the vertical leg 1292.

Referring the FIGS. 92 and 93, after the cables 1284, 1286 and 1288 havebeen placed in the respective adjacent pairs of the slots 1280 a and1282 a, 1280 b and 1282 b, and 1280 c and 1282 c, the keeper 1290 ismanipulated, by use of the lifting eye 1300, to place the vertical leg1292 of the keeper into the vertical nesting channel 1263, and to placethe horizontal leg 1294 of the keeper into the horizontal nestingchannel 1273.

With this arrangement, portions of the front face 1296 of the keeper1290 engage portions of the cables 1284, 1286 and 1288, which appear inthe vertical nesting channel 1263, to capture the portions of the cablesbetween the front face of the keeper and the rear face 1259 of the solidportion 1258 of the vertical leg 1254. In this manner, the cables 1284,1286 and 1288 are retained within the respective pairs of the slots 1280a and 1282 a, 1280 b and 1282 b, and 1280 c and 1282 c. Further, agravitational force maintains the horizontal leg 1294 of the keeper 1290within the horizontal nesting channel 1273 to retain the keeper inassembly with the “L” shaped member 1252, and thereby retain the cables1284, 1286 and 1288 with the combined precast panel and post unit 1250.

Referring to FIG. 94, a plurality of stackable modules 1310 (one shown)can be stacked to form an intermediate anchor post. Each of the modules1310 is formed with an intermediate solid planar layer 1312, having antop surface 1314 and a bottom surface 1316. Four spaced half-roundpedestals 1318 extend upward from the top surface 1314, with peripheralcircular walls 1320 of the pedestals facing generally toward a center ofthe top surface.

With this arrangement, four cable passages 1322, 1324, 1326, and 1328are each formed by a space between the closest portions of theperipheral circular walls 1320 of adjacent pairs of the pedestals 1318.The four cable passages 1322, 1324, 1326 and 1328 communicate with arespective cable port 1322 a, 1324 a, 1326 a and 1328 a, with all of thecable passages communicating with a common central region 1330, definedgenerally by the widest spacing between non-adjacent opposing pedestals1318. Due to the peripheral circular design of the pedestals 1318, eachof the cable ports 1322 a, 1324 a, 1326 a and 1328 a are formed with aflared opening.

In one example of assembling a cable 1340 with the module 1310, thecable is passed directly through the aligned cable passages 1322 and1328. In another example of assembling a cable 1340 a with the module1310, the cable is passed through the cable passages 1322 and 1326,whereby the pass-through of the cable is at a right angle.

Three spaced legs 1332, 1334, 1336, and a fourth leg which does appearin FIG. 94 (“the non-illustrated leg”), extend downward from the bottomsurface 1316 of the intermediate layer 1312, and are located inalignment with the cable passages 1322, 1324, 1326 and 1328,respectively, of the module 1310. When an upper module 1310 is stackedatop a lower module, the spaced legs 1332, 1334, 1336, and thenon-illustrated leg, of the upper module will locate within therespective cable passages 1322, 1324, 1326, and 1328 of the lowermodule. In this manner, any portion of any cable, such as the cable1340, which is located in any of the cable passages 1322, 1324, 1326 and1328, will be pressed into, and retained in, the cable passage by therespective legs 1332, 1334, 1336, and the non-illustrated leg.

When forming an intermediate anchor post using a plurality of themodules 1310 as described above, a post support base (not shown) isfirst placed into position on a support, such as, for example, an anchorfooter, and a required number of the stackable modules 1310 are placedatop the support base. During the stacking process, cables 1340 areplaced in a desired pass-through arrangement within each module, aftereach module has been placed on the stack, and before the next successivemodule is placed on the stack. A cap (not shown), formed with four legs,arranged in the same manner as the legs 1332, 1334, 1336 and thenon-illustrated leg, and extending downward from a bottom surface of thecap, is placed onto the uppermost stackable module 1310, whereby thelegs of the cap press and retain the cable 1340 of the uppermoststackable module with the assembled post.

Each of the stackable modules 1310, and the base and the cap, of eachpost is formed with a plurality of tie bolt holes 1342, which arealignable upon assembly of the base, the modules and the cap. Each of aplurality of tension members (not shown), of the type identified aboveand in FIG. 78 as the tension member 1078, is assembled with a retainerand an anchor footer as described above. As the base, the modules 1310and the cap are assembled as described above, the tie bolt holes 1342are located over the tension members to retain the completed anchor postin the manner described above with respect to the tension members 1078.

It is noted that, while the above-described module 1310 is designed tofacilitate a direct cable pass-through, or a right angle cablepass-through, of the cables 1340 and 1340 a, respectively, otherdesigns, using the above-described principle, could be employed tofacilitate other angular pass-throughs.

Referring to FIG. 95, a pedestrian passage arrangement 1344 includes afirst barrier fence section 1346, which includes an end post 1348, afirst spaced intermediate post 1350, and a first panel 1352 locatedbetween the end post and the intermediate post. Successive spacedintermediate posts 1350 a, and panels 1352 a extend serially from thefirst intermediate post 1350. Tension cables (not shown) extend from theend post 1348 through the intermediate posts 1350 and 1350 a and thepanels 1352 and 1352 a.

Further, the pedestrian passage arrangement 1344 includes a secondbarrier fence section 1354, which includes an end post 1356, a firstspaced intermediate post 1358, and a first panel 1360, located betweenthe end post and the intermediate post. Successive spaced intermediateposts 1358 a, and panels 1360 a extend serially from the firstintermediate post 1358. Tension cables (not shown) extend from the endpost 1356 through the intermediate posts 1358 and 1358 a and the panels1360 and 1360 a.

The first barrier fence section 1346 is located in a first plane, whichextends vertically upward from the ground level 110, and the secondbarrier fence section 1354 is located in a second plane which extendsvertically upward from the ground level. The first plane and the secondplane are parallel, and are spaced apart.

The end posts 1348 and 1356 are diagonally offset from each other, by aprescribed distance, such that the end post 1348 is located in a thirdplane, which extends vertically upward from the ground level 110, andwhich is perpendicular to the first and second planes. With thisarrangement, the end post 1348 is spaced, within the third plane, by athird-plane distance, from the first panel 1360 of the second barrierfence section 1354.

Also, with the diagonal offset of the end posts 1348 and 1356, the endpost 1356 is located in a fourth plane, which extends vertically upwardfrom the ground level 110, and which is perpendicular to the first andsecond planes. With this arrangement, the end post 1356 is spaced,within the fourth plane, by a fourth-plane distance, from the firstpanel 1352 of the first barrier fence section 1346.

In this manner, the spaces defined by each of the prescribed distance,the third-plane distance, and the fourth-plane distance, are sufficientto allow a pedestrian to pass therethrough, but are not sufficient toallow a vehicle to pass therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 96, a barrier fence includes an end post 1370,intermediate posts 1372 and 1372 a, which are adjacent opposite sides ofthe end post, and a pair of panels 1374 and 1374 a, which are locatedadjacent outboard sides of the intermediate posts 1372 and 1372 a,respectively.

A concrete anchor 1376 is located within the soil 106, and supports theend post 1370, which is resting on an upper surface 1378 thereof, flushwith the ground level 110. Eyebolt 1380 is formed integrally with eye1382 at one end of a long shank 1384. The shank 1384 extends from theeye 1382 to an opposite end of the shank, which is attached to aretainer 1386. A major portion of the shank 1384 and the retainer 1386of each of the eye bolts 1380 are embedded, and retained, in the anchor1376.

Referring to FIG. 97, a first embodiment of the end post 1370 includes atub 1388 having a front wall 1390, a rear wall 1392, a first side wall1394, a second side wall 1396 (FIG. 96), and a floor wall 1398. The tub1388 forms an open well 1389, in which is located the eye 1382 and ashort length of the shank 1384, of each of the eye bolts 1380. Severalsections of rebar 1400 are strategically placed within the walls 1390,1392, 1394, 1396 and 1398 of the tub 1388 for strengthening of the tub.Also, a ledge 1401 is formed along an inboard upper edge of the walls1390, 1392, 1394 and 1396 to support a cover 1402.

It is noted that the outer major surfaces of the first side wall 1394and the second side wall 1396, of the tub 1388, form opposite sides ofthe end post 1370, which are widely spaced sides. The distance betweenthe widely spaced sides of the end post 1370 is significantly greaterthan the distance between opposite sides of a conventional end post, andis comparable to the side-to-side distance of the panels 1374 and 1374a.

As shown in FIGS. 96 and 97, with the cover 1402 removed, a first pairof tension cables 1404 and 1406 extend through the panel 1374 and theintermediate post 1372, through openings formed through the side wall1394, into the well 1389 of the tub 1388, and are angled downward nearlyto the second side wall 1396. Ends of the respective cables 1404 and1406, which are within the well 1389 of the tub 1388, are secured to theeye 1382 of the eye bolt 1380.

Also, a second pair of tension cables 1404 a and 1406 a extend throughthe panel 1374 a and the intermediate post 1372 a, through openingsformed through the second side wall 1396, into the well 1389 of the tub1388, and are angled downward and extend nearly to the first side wall1394. Ends of the respective cables 1404 a and 1406 a, which are withinthe well 1389 of the tub 1388, are secured to the eye 1382 of the eyebolt 1380.

Thereafter, the well 1389 of the tub 1388 is filled with a heavy andremovable material such as, for example, silica, sand, stone, or thelike. The cover 1402 is then placed on the ledge 1401 to complete theformation of the first embodiment of the end post 1370, with the ends ofthe cables 1404, 1406, 1404 a and 1406 a secured in place.

Referring to FIGS. 96 and 98, a second embodiment of the end post 1370includes an “L” shaped member 1408, which is formed by a front wall 1390a and a floor wall 1398 a, and which extends between widely spacedsides, as viewed in FIG. 96, in a manner similar to the front wall 1390and the floor wall 1398, respectively, of the tub 1388 (FIG. 97). Anoutboard edge of the floor wall 1398 a of the “L” shaped member 1408 isformed with an upturned portion 1410, which extends between the widelyspaced sides of the member. An inside surface of the upturned portion1410, and the adjacent portion of an upper surface of the floor wall1398 a, combine to form a pocket 1412, which extends between the widelyspaced sides of the “L” shaped member 1408. Several sections of rebar1400 are strategically placed within the walls 1390 a and 1398 a of the“L” shaped member 1408 for strengthening thereof.

The second embodiment of the end post 1370 also includes a cap 1414,which is formed with an elbow 1416 along one end edge thereof, and withangled end faces 1418 and 1420 along an opposite end edge thereof. Thefree or outboard end of the elbow 1416 is placed against an upper insideface of the front wall 1390 a, and the angled end faces 1418 and 1420are placed in the pocket 1412. In this manner, the cap 1414 is retainedin a lean-to arrangement with the “L” shaped member 1408. With thisstructure, widely spaced sides of the second embodiment of the end post1370 are open.

Prior to placing the cap 1414 in the position shown in FIG. 98, thefirst pair of tension cables 1404 and 1406 extend through the panel 1374and the intermediate post 1372, through a first and adjacent one of thespaced open sides of the second embodiment of the end post 1370, and areangled downward and extend nearly to a second one of the spaced opensides. Ends of the respective cables 1404 and 1406, are secured to theeye 1382 of the eye bolt 1380.

Also, the second pair of tension cables 1404 a and 1406 a extend throughthe panel 1374 a and the intermediate post 1372 a, through the second ofthe spaced open sides of the second embodiment of the end post 1370, andare angled downward nearly to the first of the spaced open sides of thesecond embodiment of the end post 1370. Ends of the respective cables1404 a and 1406 a are secured to the eye 1382 of the eye bolt 1380.Thereafter, the cap 1414 is placed in the position shown in FIG. 98.

It is noted that, while the single end post 1370, the pair ofintermediate posts 1372 and 1372 a, and the pair of panels 1374 and 1374a, are the only components illustrated in FIGS. 96, 97, and 98,additional end posts, intermediate posts and panels would be employed tocomplete the barrier fence.

In each of the above-described first and second embodiments of the endpost 1370, the manner of anchoring the barrier fence will minimize anyoverturning moment. In addition, these embodiments are easily assembled,easily repairable, and provide an attractive appearance. Further, withthe size of the end post 1370 blending with the size of the panels 1374and 1374 a, a common decorative theme amongst the panels and the endposts can be followed.

Referring to FIG. 99, a barrier fence is shown with a post 1460, afoundation 1458 for post 1460 embedded in soil 106, a sleeve passage1462 through post 1460, enclosures 1468 a, 1468 b, and 1466, and a cover1470 for enclosures 1468 a, 1468 b, and 1466. Fence panels 1450 areshown with a panel portion 1450 a and a tongue portion 1456 a havingtapered sides 1452. The panel 1450 also has a groove portion 1454 withsides 1453 to receive the tongue portion of an adjacent panel. The sides1453 of the groove are of a dimension such that the barrier fence may bepositioned on uneven terrain without allowing the tongue portion 1456 ato leave the groove portion, thus preventing unwanted access to thecable 150. The panel 1450 also has at least one conduit 1455 formedwithin the structure of the panel. A panel 1450 b is shown having twotongue portions 1456 a and 1456 b. The barrier fence also hasintermediate posts 1474 preferably made from a rigid material such assteel plate of a size to provide rigidity to the barrier fence when aforce is applied to the fence in a “Y” direction, as shown in FIG. 99.Intermediate post 1474 is located in a preferably rigid square orrectangular sleeve 1472. The size of the intermediate post in the “X”direction, as shown in FIG. 99, is substantially smaller than the sleeve1472 in the “X” direction allowing for component and assemblydimensional tolerance variations. The intermediate post 1474 size in the“Y” direction is nearly the same but slightly smaller than the internalsize of the sleeve 1472 in the “Y” direction. At least one cable isthrough sleeve 1462 in a first end post, through conduit 1455 in eachpanel, through sleeve 1462 in a second end post, and finally securedwith a cable termination 1464. It is within the scope of the inventionthat the cable termination 1464 may be an energy absorber or energyabsorbing means, such as has been described previously.

As shown in FIG. 100, a barrier fence comprises panels 1502 a and 1502b, end post 1504 a, and end post 1504 b. The end posts 1504 a and 1504 bare attached to support 1500, which may be at, above, or below groundlevel. The panels and end posts are held together with cables 1512 a and1512 b. Cables 1512 a and 1512 b may terminate with energy absorbingmeans 1510 a and 1510 b. End posts 1504 a and 1504 b are spaced apart adistance which may allow people to pass through the barrier fence butnarrow enough to prevent vehicle passage, such distance being usuallygreater than 2 feet but less than 6 feet.

As shown in FIG. 101, energy absorbing means comprises a portion of anend post 1602, a passage 1604 through the end post, a load distributingplate 1606, a ductile tube 1608, and a swaging end 1610. Cable 1600passes through the panels of the barrier fence as shown in FIG. 99,through passage 1604, through a passage in swaging end 1610 and into acable termination means 1612. Cable termination means 1612 may be anymeans suitable for terminating a cable. Swaging end 1610 is shown with asmall end portion 1610 a and a large end portion 1610 b.

Referring to FIG. 102, before any force is applied to the energyabsorbing means, the tube 1608 is a constant size shown at the small endportion 1610 a of the swaging end 1610. When a force is applied to cable1600, as shown in FIG. 101, swaging end 1610 is pulled in the directionof load distributing plate 1606. As swaging end 1610 is moved throughtube 1608, tube 1608 is resized from a diameter corresponding with thesmaller end portion 1610 a of swaging end 1610 to a diametercorresponding with the larger end portion 1610 b. This resizing of tube1680 causes the ductile material of the tube to yield plastically fromits yield strength to near its ultimate tensile strength. Preferably, avery large force “F” is required to cause the material to yield.Referring to FIG. 102, as the swaging end 1610 moves from its restposition at point 1615 of the tube to the point at which the small endportion 1610 a comes to rest at plate 1606, the swaging end will havetraveled a distance “d”. The energy which is absorbed can be describedas F×d.

The ductile material of tube 1608 may be comprised of stainless steelpipe or tube. For example, type 304 stainless steel pipe ofapproximately eight (8) inches in diameter with an approximatelyone-half (½) inch wall thickness may be used. The size and thickness ofthe pipe is chosen to provide a swaging force which is lower than thebreaking strength of tension cable 1600. The 300 family of stainlesssteel has the ability to stretch 50% before breaking. In accordance withTable 1 (above) and Table 2 (below), type 304 stainless steel possessesa yield strength of 30,000 psi, an ultimate tensile strength of 80,000psi, and a 50% elongation in 2 inches.

TABLE 2 Physical Properties of Certain Pipes. Wall Sq ft Sq ft NominalSchedule thick- Inside Metal outside inside pipe size, number † ness,I.D., area, area, surface, surface, O.D., in. a b c in. in. sq in. sqin. per ft per ft 5 — —  5S 0.109 5.345 22.44 1.868 1.456 1.399 5.563 —— 10S 0.134 5.295 22.02 2.285 1.456 1.386 40 Std 40S 0.258 5.047 20.014.30 1.456 1.321 80 XS 80S 0.375 4.813 18.19 6.11 1.456 1.260 120 — —0.500 4.563 16.35 7.95 1.456 1.195 160 — — 0.625 4.313 14.61 9.70 1.4561.129 — XXS — 0.750 4.063 12.97 11.34 1.456 1.064 6 — —  5S 0.109 6.40732.2 2.231 1.734 1.677 6.625 — — 10S 0.134 6.357 31.7 2.733 1.734 1.66440 Std 40S 0.280 6.065 28.89 5.58 1.734 1.588 80 XS 80S 0.432 5.76126.07 8.40 1.734 1.508 120 — — 0.562 5.501 23.77 10.70 1.734 1.440 160 —— 0.718 5.189 21.15 13.33 1.734 1.358 — XXS — 0.864 4.897 18.83 15.641.734 1.282 8 — —  5S 0.109 8.407 55.5 2.916 2.258 2.201 8.625 — — 10S0.148 8.329 54.5 3.94 2.258 2.180 20 — — 0.250 8.125 51.8 6.58 2.2582.127 30 — — 0.277 8.071 51.2 7.26 2.258 2.113 40 Std 40S 0.322 7.98150.0 8.40 2.258 2.089 60 — — 0.406 7.813 47.9 10.48 2.258 2.045 80 XS80S 0.500 7.625 45.7 12.76 2.258 1.996 100 — — 0.593 7.439 43.5 14.962.258 1.948 120 — — 0.718 7.189 40.6 17.84 2.258 1.882 140 — — 0.8127.001 38.5 19.93 2.258 1.833 — XXS — 0.875 6.875 37.1 21.30 2.258 1.800160 — — 0.906 6.813 36.5 21.97 2.258 1.784 10 — —  5S 0.134 10.482 86.34.52 2.815 2.744 10.750 — — 10S 0.165 10.420 85.3 5.49 2.815 2.728 20 —— 0.250 10.250 82.5 8.26 2.815 2.683 — — — 0.279 10.192 81.6 9.18 2.8152.668 30 — — 0.307 10.136 80.7 10.07 2.815 2.654 40 Std 40S 0.365 10.02078.9 11.91 2.815 2.623 60 XS 80S 0.500 9.750 74.7 16.10 2.815 2.553 80 —— 0.593 9.564 71.8 18.92 2.815 2.504 100 — — 0.718 9.314 68.1 22.632.815 2.438 Weight Moment Nominal Schedule Weight of water of SectionRadius pipe size, number † per ft, per ft, inertia, modulus, gyration,O.D., in. a b c lb lb in.⁴ in.³ in. 5 — —  5S 6.35 9.73 6.95 2.498 1.9295.663 — — 10S 7.77 9.53 8.43 3.03 1.920 40 Std 40S 14.62 8.66 15.17 5.451.878 80 XS 80S 20.78 7.89 20.68 7.43 1.839 120 — — 27.04 7.09 25.749.25 1.799 160 — — 32.96 6.33 30.0 10.80 1.760 — XXS — 38.55 5.62 33.612.10 1.722 6 — —  5S 5.37 13.98 11.85 3.58 2.304 6.625 — — 10S 9.2913.74 14.40 4.35 2.295 40 Std 40S 18.97 12.51 28.14 8.50 2.245 80 XS 80S28.57 11.29 40.5 12.23 2.195 120 — — 36.39 10.30 49.6 14.98 2.153 160 —— 45.30 9.16 59.0 17.81 2.104 — XXS — 53.16 8.17 66.3 20.03 2.060 8 — — 5S 9.91 24.07 26.45 6.13 3.01 8.625 — — 10S 13.40 23.59 35.4 8.21 3.0020 — — 22.36 22.48 57.7 13.39 2.962 30 — — 24.70 22.18 63.4 14.69 2.95340 Std 40S 28.55 21.69 72.5 16.81 2.938 60 — — 35.64 20.79 88.8 20.582.909 80 XS 80S 43.39 19.80 105.7 24.52 2.878 100 — — 50.87 18.84 121.428.14 2.847 120 — — 60.63 17.60 140.6 32.6 2.807 140 — — 67.76 16.69153.8 35.7 2.777 — XXS — 72.42 16.09 162.0 37.6 2.757 160 — — 74.6915.80 165.9 38.5 2.748 10 — —  5S 15.15 37.4 63.7 11.85 3.75 10.750 — —10S 18.70 36.9 76.9 14.30 3.74 20 — — 28.04 35.8 113.7 21.16 3.71 — — —31.20 35.3 125.9 23.42 3.70 30 — — 34.24 35.0 137.5 25.57 3.69 40 Std40S 40.48 34.1 160.8 29.90 3.67 60 XS 80S 54.74 32.3 212.0 39.4 3.63 80— — 64.33 31.1 244.9 45.6 3.60 100 — — 76.93 29.5 286.2 53.2 3.56

FIGS. 103 to 112D illustrate another embodiment of a barrier system aswell as a method of making the barrier system. The barrier system 2000includes a plurality of reinforced concrete posts 2200 (only one ofwhich is shown in FIG. 103) and barrier walls 2100, such as barrierwalls 2100 a and 2100 b. It should be understood that barrier walls 2100extend between two posts 2200. The walls 2100 can include above-groundand below-ground portions. The below-ground portion of the barrier walls2100 can include, for example, a compacted stone dust foundation orconcrete footer 2110, which can be formed using a form in much the sameway a house foundation is formed. The foundation or footer 2110 may notbe needed in regions that do not encounter frost. The above-groundportion 2120 of the barrier walls 2100 is preferably a continuous,monolithically poured concrete structure. The size of the walls willdepend on the nature of the site at which the barrier system isinstalled, but in certain embodiments a barrier wall 2100 has a lengthbetween about 40 to 100 feet, and preferably around 80 feet in length.

As described above in connection with other embodiments, the walls 2100include channels or passages through which tension cables extend. One ormore passages for electrical or optical wiring can also be included inthe walls 2100.

The reinforced concrete post 2200 is illustrated in greater detail inFIGS. 104-107. The concrete post 2200 includes a subterranean anchorpost portion 2210 and an above-ground upper portion 2250. A base ring2220 is disposed roughly between the anchor post portion 2210 and upperportion 2250. The base ring 2220 can be a precast structure or poured insitu. As can be seen from the drawings, the concrete is reinforced byway of a rebar structure, including vertical rebars 2216, which arealigned using rebar rings 2214 and rebar alignment form 2212. In anexemplary embodiment of the post 2200, the anchor post portion 2210 andupper portion 2250 (notwithstanding the recess portions 2252 discussedin more detail below) have a common diameter between about 1 to 6 feet,and preferably about 4 feet. The subterranean anchor post portion 2210has a length or height (extending into the ground) between about 4 to 12feet and preferably about 10 feet. The upper portion 2250 has a heightof about four feet extending above base ring 2220. Of course, thenecessary dimensions will depend on the level of security desired, i.e.,to what ASTM standard for impact speed (e.g., M30, M40, etc.) andpenetration (P1, P2, etc.) for a given vehicle type must be met.

As can be seen in FIG. 104, the upper portion 2250 has one or moreconduits 2260 is defined in the concrete through it and extendinggenerally between opposite sides of the reinforced concrete post 2200.With respect to the reinforce concrete post 2200, the term “conduit” isused in its broad sense to mean passageway, pass-through, channel orvoid and does not imply a particular shape or material. The conduits maybe of any shape that can accommodate the tension cables, morespecifically the larger diameter cable terminations for the tensioncables (discussed below) and in the illustrated embodiment arecylindrical. Each conduit has a first open end 2262 and a second openend 2264. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforced concrete post2200 has four conduits 2260 including a first pair of conduits that arealigned with one another and a second pair of the conduits are alignedwith one another. The pairs of conduits crisscross one another both withrespect to the vertical and horizontal planes. More specifically, a pairof spaced cables 2300 a, 2300 b passes through a wall 2100 a along astraight axis and at first and second respective constant verticalheights within the wall 2100 a. It is desirable to have the second pairof spaced cables 2300 d and 2300 c pass through wall 2100 b along acommon axis and at the same first and second respective constantvertical heights as the cables 2300 a, 2300 b. It is also desirable tokeep the size of the reinforced concrete post 2200 as small a possible.The design must also consider that the conduits 2260 must be sizedlarger than the diameter of the cables 2300 to accommodate the insertionof cable terminations into, through and within the conduits, asdiscussed in more detail below. For example, a 1.5″ diameter cable 2300may be terminated with a 2 foot long, 3″ diameter swage stud. Toaccommodate these considerations, within the post 2200 the conduits 2260slope downward from their ends 2262 to their ends 2264 and are angledwith respect to the axis of the cables 2300 within walls 2100 so thatthe conduits miss one another within the post 2200 while the cables 2300are positioned at the correct vertical locations for entry into walls2100. FIGS. 113A and 113B show the top portion 2250 of the post 2200 ingreatly simplifed form in order to help illustrate the orientations ofthe conduits 2260. The conduits 2260 themselves are not illustrated butit should be understood that the portions of the cables 2300 a to 2300 dthat are located within the upper portion 2250 of the post 2200 arecoaxial with the conduits. As can be seen from the side view of FIG.113A and the top view of FIG. 113B, the cables 2300 a and 2300 d arecoaxial with one another. Cables 2300 a and 2300 c are also coaxial withone another but are hidden in the view of FIG. 113A. It is importantthat these cables be coaxial as their proper locations within the walls2100 are carefully engineered to meet the proper security rating. Sothat the cables 2300 a and 2300 b, and cables 2300 b and 2300C, can havethis coaxial relationship, the conduits in which the cables run slope ata common oblique angle α (in the Z-direction/in the vertical plane) withrespect to the coaxial axis of the cables within the walls 2100 a, 2100b and at a common oblique angle θ (in the X-direction/in the horizontalplane) with respect to the coaxial axis. In one exemplary embodiment,the total angle between the cable portion within the wall (i.e., theaxes of the major portion/length of the cable) and the axis of theoblique conduits within the anchor post is 12.6°, which is provides anapparent angle α of 7.6° (seen in a side view) and an angle θ of 12.6°(seen in a top view). Of course, other angular relationships as the sizerequirements dictate may be appropriate.

It should be apparent that it is not necessary to provide the sloped andangled orientation for the conduits formed in a terminus reinforcedconcrete end post which has only one adjacent wall because such an endpost would have only a single set of parallel conduits. That is, theconduits can be coaxial with the tension wire 2300 within the adjacentwall.

As shown in FIG. 106, tension cables 2300, specifically cables 2300 a to2300 d, extend through the conduits 2260 and terminate at conduit ends2262 thereof. A steel washer plate 2270 is positioned in recessed area2252 against a planar side wall of the reinforced concrete post 2200.The ends of the tension cables 2300 a and 2300 b are bolted in placeusing cable nuts 2280, which rest against the washer plate 2270. Washerplate 2270 distribute the force from an impact with the tension cables2300 to prevent cracking of the concrete post 2200. Though not shown,tension cables 2300 c and 2300 d are anchored to the opposite side ofthe reinforced concrete post 2200 in the same manner as tension cables2300 a and 2300 b. Alternatively, the cable nut can be provided with alarge enough washer surface so that a separate washer plate 2270 is notrequired. Cable bushings 2290 are used during fabrication/assembly tokeep the cables 2300 on-center in their respective conduits 2260 untilthey are properly bolted in place.

FIGS. 103-107 illustrate an embodiment of a reinforced concrete post2200 that is designed to be disposed between two other reinforcedconcrete posts. That is, cables 2300 a and 2300 b extend between theconcrete post 2200 shown in FIG. 106 and a second concrete post 2200 ofsimilar construction, and cables 2300 c and 2300 d extend between theconcrete post 2200 and a third concrete post 2200 of similarconstruction. It should be understood, therefore, that the concrete post2200 may be considered an intermediate post in a barrier system asopposed to an end post. Assuming two cables 2300 extend between eachpost in the barrier system, an end post of similar construction wouldrequire only two conduits 2260 to accommodate the two cables 2300 thatterminate at the end post though it may have other conduits that are notused or are used for other purposes.

Each tension cable 2300 exits the second open end 2264 of a respectiveconduit 2260. As can be seen from the figures, a strain relief sector2266 extends from the second open end 2264 of each conduit. In exemplaryembodiments, the strain relief sector takes the form of a curved recessor groove extending generally laterally or horizontally from the conduit2260. The curved recess or groove forms a flared or tapered opening intothe conduit 2260. The shape of one embodiment of the strain reliefsector 2266 can be seen in more detail in FIG. 111 and from the shape ofthe insert shown in FIGS. 110A to 111B used to form the strain reliefsector 2266. It should be understood, however, that broadly speaking thestrain relief sector 2266 is a space that is provided in the concreteprofile that allows sufficient room for the tension cable 2300 to bedeflected within the reinforced concrete post without a sharp bendtherein, thereby minimizing bend stress and possible failure. While FIG.106 shows cables 106 extending from the post 2200, it should beunderstood that the wall panels 2100 through which the cables 2300extend are not shown so as to allow for better illustration of theconnections of the cables 2300 to the post 2200.

Assuming an impact of sufficient force from a vehicle on a wall panel2100 in the illustrated direction of impact, the tension cables 2300would deflect in the direction of the impact. The strain relief sectors2266 are shaped to allow the tension cables to extend in the directionof the impact without encountering any sharp edges in the reinforcedconcrete post 2200. It has been observed that if the strain reliefsector 2266 is not provided, i.e., there is no side opening in theconduit in the direction of the impact, then the tension cable 2300 canfail due to a stress concentration at the conduit end 2264 from bendingaround a sharp corner.

FIG. 107 illustrates a concrete post 2220 in cross-section taken througha strain relief sector 2266. The rebar reinforcement is not shown in thecross-section. At the end 2264 of the conduit 2260, a strain reliefsector 2266 is formed in the concrete. In the illustrated embodiment,the strain relief sector 2266 forms a tapered opening into the conduit2260. The wall 2267 that defines the taper is preferably curved at leastin the area where it meets the straight wall 2269 of the conduit 2260such that the opening has a non-linear taper to it. It is preferably toavoid any sharp edges in the conduit opening that may cause the tensioncable 2300 to fail. When the barrier system is in a quiescent state(labeled as position A), the tension cable 2300 extends at the angledorientation discussed above in connection with FIG. 113B towards asecond post 2200 to which its opposite end is anchored. However, whenthe tension cable is deflected in the direction of the illustratedarrows, such as by impact of a vehicle with the barrier wall (notshown), the tension cable 2300 is free to move in that direction to somelimited amount within the strain relief sector 2266. Since the retentioncable 2300 is already at an angled orientation (position A), at asomewhat pre-stressed orientation, deflection of the retention cable2300 in the direction of impact actually serves to straighten theretention cable 2300 (position B) and relieve stress. There are nostress concentration points at intermediate position B in this straightorientation. If the impact is sufficient to deflect the retention cable2300 all the way into the strain relief sector 2266 (e.g., to positionC), then the presence of the strain relief sector 2266 helps preventfailure of the tension cable 2300 as discussed above. If the tensioncable 2300 is displaced enough so that it encounters the wall 2267 ofthe strain relief sector 2266, the gentle transition provided by thecurved edge helps prevent catastrophic failure of the tension cable, aswould occur with a conduit shaped as shown in FIG. 107A. Specifically,the tension cable could fail at the Failure Point shown in FIG. 107A.

The figures illustrate other features of the post 2200. As discussedabove, the post 2200 may include a concrete base ring 2220, which formsa circumferential channel 2234 around the upper portion 2250 of thereinforced concrete post 2200, though this base ring 2220 is by no meansa requirement. A decorative side cover 2230 is disposed around the upperend portion 2250, preferably in two halves (one of which is shown inFIG. 106). The side cover 2230 can be a precast concrete structure. Theside cover 2230 includes an overlap 2232 that sits in the channel 2234to properly seat the side cover 2230 in the channel 2234. In thisembodiment, a top cover 2200 is then seated on the side cover 2230. FIG.108 is a top view of the side cover 2230. Specifically, FIG. 108 showsthat the side cover 2230 is formed from two halves 2230 a and 2230 b.These halves 2230 a, 2230 b are seated in the channel 2234 and form apair of openings or slots 2231. The ends of the wall panels 2120 a, 2120b are disposed in the slots 2231 to close the slot 2231. The top cover2200 is then placed on top of the side cover 2230, thus concealing theinternal connections of the tension cable to the post 2200 and limitingtampering therewith. Of course, other designs and shapes for the sidecover 2230 could be used. For example, the side cover need not beprovided in multiple pieces. Rather, the side cover could be a singlepiece with slits precut for the size one or more walls.

It should be understood that this cover is merely decorative and is notrequired. The barrier system functions adequately whether covered ornot. In another embodiment, no cover is provided and the recessed region2252 in the upper portion 2250 is over-filled with concrete or othermaterial to shape the upper portion 2250 into a desired form (e.g., acontinuous 48″ diameter cylinder) and to conceal the cable connections.

The end of the tension cable 2300 is terminated by a cable termination.There are several types of cable terminations and a cable terminationthat operate at 100% cable strength efficiency is preferred. One exampleof an efficient cable terminations is the wire rope socket (pouredspelter, resin or swaged, for example). More preferably, a swaged studtermination is used to terminate the tension cable 2300, such as shownin FIG. 109. FIG. 109 shows cable 2300 terminating at a swaged studtermination 2400, such as a swaged steel threaded swage stud No. STS-48available from Muncy Machine and Tool Company, Inc. of Muncy, Pa., whichhas a threaded stud end for receiving the cable nut 2280. In exemplaryembodiments, the cable 2300 has a diameter of about 1.5 inches and theswaged stud connector 2400 has a diameter of only about 3 inches. Theconnector 2400 is about 2 feet in length. This rather long, narrowconnector is inserted into the conduits 2260, with the threaded endextending outside of the conduit end 2262. The profile of this preferredconnector is small enough to allow for the crisscross pattern of thefour conduits 2260 shown in FIG. 104.

It should be understood that for barriers of lesser or greater impactrequirements, the cable, conduit, terminations, ends post and strainplates may be smaller or larger.

FIGS. 110 and 110 A illustrate structures for forming the conduits 2260and strain relief sectors 2266 in the reinforced concrete post 2200.FIG. 110 is a top view of those structures and FIG. 110A is a sideperspective view thereof. As discussed above, the concrete post 2200includes rebar skeleton, including vertical rebar 2216 and rebar rings2214. Four tubes 2600 are positioned to form the conduits 2260. Strainrelief inserts 2500 are attached to the outside of the tubes 2600 toform the strain relief sector 2266 at the end of the tubes 2600. Thetubes 2600 and strain relief inserts can be made of any material ofsufficient strength to hold the desired shape during the concrete pour.The inserts can be left in the structure as long as they are relativelyweek in crush resistance when compared to the concrete. The crushableinserts are simply crushed by deflection of the tension cables 2300during a vehicle impact and thus do not interfere with the operation ofthe strain relief sector 2266. Crushable inserts of foam, metal, plastic(e.g., PVC tubes), wood, fiber or other material are contemplated thoughother materials could be used. The inserts may also be removed ifdesired.

It should be appreciated that instead of providing inserts for formingconduits 2660, a solid concrete post could be formed followed bymachining or drilling out conduits of the desired shape and orientation.The same procedure could also be used for formation of strain reliefsectors 2266 and even recessed sections 2252.

FIGS. 111A to 111C illustrate in more detail the strain relief insert2500. FIG. 111A is a side view of the insert 2500. FIG. 111B is aperspective view of the insert 2500 and FIG. 111C is a end view. Slopedsurface 2502 defines the contour of the strain relief sector 2266,specifically the wall 2267 thereof (See FIG. 107). Surface 2506 isshaped to be seated on the tube 2600. Surface 2504 is aligned with theend of the tube 2600. The shape of the insert 2500 defines the shape ofthe strain relief sector 2266. The shape of the insert is preferably aradius larger than one cable diameter, and preferably on the order ofabout 4 to 5 cable diameters, but may be another geometric shape thatprovides a concrete gap that permits the cable space to bend to greaterthan one cable diameter, and preferably about 4 to 5 cable diameterswithout encountering a stress concentration point in the concrete. Thestrain relief sector 2266 could be square, triangular, rectangular orany other shape that serves this purpose.

FIGS. 112A-112D illustrate a recess form assembly 3000 for forming therecess 2252 in the upper portion of the reinforced concrete post 2200and for facilitating accurate placement of the conduits 2260,specifically the conduit forming tubes 2600. In order to form thereinforced concrete post 2200, a cylindrical tube form 3500 is used,such as a SONOTUBE® concrete form available from Sonoco of Hartsville,S.C. Two recess form assemblies 3000 are placed in each tube form 3500,one for each recess section 2252 formed on opposite sides of theconcrete post 2200. The recess form assembly 3000 is properly spacedfrom the tube form 3500 by sector chords 3100. The recess form assemblyincludes a pair of conduit spuds 3200 around which the first ends of apair of conduit tubes 2600 are fitted. The recess form assembly alsoincludes a pair of angled conduit spuds 3300 for receiving the secondend of a pair of conduit tubes 2600. That is, the recess form assemblies3000 are aligned across from one another, and four conduit tubes 2600are secured therebetween by connection to the conduit spuds 3200, 3300.As can be seen in FIG. 112A, the conduit spud 3300 is also surrounded bya ring element 3310 with a slot 3315. Those familiar with using concreteforms will understand that the various forms and insert elements can besecured to one another using screws, glue, wire, fitted connections or acombination thereof. After assembly and placement of all forms andinserts around the rebar skeleton, concrete of a sufficient rating,e.g., about 3000-8000 psi and preferably 5000 psi or greater, is pouredand allowed to set, thus forming a continuous approximately four footdiameter reinforced concrete post extending roughly four feet aboveground and roughly ten feet below ground. The forms are then removedalong with, optionally, the inserts, leaving an in-situ formed post 2200for a barrier system at a desired location.

It should be understood that post 2200 may be of any geometric shapeincluding diametral, rectangular, polygonal or any combination ofgeometric shapes

A method of forming the barrier system 2000 is now described. First. Thereinforced concrete posts 2200 are formed as described above. Second,forms are placed between the so-formed concrete posts 2200 for formationof the barrier walls 2120. These forms can include those for formingpassages in the barrier walls for the tension wires 2300 and anyelectrical or optical wiring though it should be understood that theconcrete can be poured directly over the tension wires 2300 withoutforms for forming a channel around the tension wires spaced from thetension wires 2300. Third, the tension wires 2300 are suspended andanchored as shown in the figures between adjacent posts 2200. Fourth,the concrete is poured for forming the barrier walls 2120. Fifth, theforms are broken down and removed. Sixth and finally, an optionalcultured stone façade may be applied to the barrier walls 2120 foraesthetic reasons.

It is important that the wall panels not be anchored into the ground inany significant way, such as by the use of a subterranean anchor post2210 that is used for the reinforced concrete post 2200, thoughstructural elements may be provided to, for example, help providevertical stability to the wall from the frost. Such elements are notneeded in climates where frost is not a concern. The wall is truly afaçade and it is important that the force of a vehicle impact betransferred to the tension cables 2300 roughly evenly when the force ofthe impact exceeds the strength of the concrete wall 2100. The tensioncables 2300 have some elasticity. It has been discovered that in certaininstances, if the bottom portion of the wall 2100 is anchored or madestrong in any significant sense, the bottommost tension cable 2300 mayembed in the vehicle while the topmost tension cable 2300, which isfurther from the anchor point, is free to extend in the direction of theimpact. This uneven displacement of the tension cables can lead to avehicle being ramped over the barrier system rather than being stoppedby the barrier system on the side of the impact. As such, it isdesirable that the wall 2100 essentially fail, disintegrate or otherwisebreak apart to some extent under sufficient impact to expose theinternal tension cables 2300 to the vehicle chassis so that the cablescan engage the vehicle chassis to perform their function. The wall 2100should, for example, not be reinforced with rebar.

The barrier system described in connection with FIGS. 103 to 113B wastested in a crash test using a 15,000 gross vehicle weight crash vehicleloaded with barrels of sand. Mechanical steering was employed. In afirst test, the vehicle was crashed mid span into the wall between tworeinforced posts. The wall disintegrated, allowing the two 1.5″ cablesto tear out of the concrete wall over the entire length of barrier. Thetwo cables migrated over the truck engine and locked into chassis tosuccessfully stop the truck. The post crash condition of the cables wasexcellent, with no damage found to the cables at impact site or at thereinforced end posts.

In a second test, the vehicle was crashed directly into the end post. Inthis test, the engine and transmission displaced entirely under thetruck cab and the truck was stopped. The anchor post was displacedslightly (around 6″) but maintained its integrity.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limitedonly to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in thedrawings. The appended claims should be construed broadly to cover anyvariations or modifications within the scope or range of equivalents ofthe claims.

1. A barrier system comprising: at least first and second reinforcedconcrete posts, each concrete post including at least one conduit formedtherethrough having first and second ends and a strain relief sectorformed therein at the first end of the conduit; and at least one tensioncable extending between the posts, the tension cable extending throughthe conduit of each post and having a cable end secured to the post atthe second end of each post's conduit.
 2. The barrier system of claim 1,wherein the strain relief sector comprises a flared opening to theconduit's first end.
 3. The barrier system of claim 2, wherein theflared opening comprises a non-linear taper.
 4. The barrier system ofclaim 1, wherein the strain relief sector extends horizontally from theconduit to reduce stress on the tension cable when the tension cable isdisplaced by an impact.
 5. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein thestrain relief sector comprises a recess or groove extending from theconduit.
 6. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein each post has agenerally planar first face at which the first end of the post's conduitis located and a generally planar second face at which the second end ofthe post's conduit is located.
 7. The barrier system of claim 6, whereineach post further includes a washer plate disposed on the generallyplanar second face, where the tension cable comprises a cabletermination having a threaded end and wherein the tension cable extendsthrough the washer plates and is bolted in place against the washerplates.
 8. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein each post includes atleast two of said conduits formed therethrough and said barrier systemincludes at least two of said tension cables extending between theconcrete posts and through the conduits.
 9. The barrier system of claim1, wherein each post has an in-ground base section, an above-ground topsection, and a side cover at least partially around the above-ground topsection.
 10. The barrier system of claim 9, further comprising a wallpanel disposed between the first and second concrete posts through whichsaid at least one tension cable extends, wherein the side cover includesan opening for receiving an end of the wall panel.
 11. The barriersystem of claim 1, further comprising a third reinforced concrete post,wherein the second concrete post is disposed between the first and thirdconcrete posts and includes at least two of said conduits formedtherethrough, the system including a second tension cable, wherein thefirst tension cable extends between the first concrete post and thesecond concrete post and terminates on a first side of the secondconcrete post, and the second tension cable extends between the secondconcrete post and the third concrete post and terminates on a secondside of the second concrete post, wherein the first side of the secondconcrete post has a strain relief sector formed therein for the secondtension cable, and the second side of the second concrete post has astrain relief sector formed therein for the first tension cable.
 12. Thebarrier system of claim 11, wherein the first ends of the at least twoconduits of the second concrete post are at about the same verticalheight as one another on the first and second sides and a central axisof the conduits cross one another both vertically and horizontally. 13.The barrier system of claim 12, wherein major lengths of the first andsecond tension cables extending between the first and second concreteposts and between the second and the third concrete posts, respectively,have axes that are coaxial one another.
 14. The barrier system of claim1, further comprising a wall panel disposed between the first and secondconcrete posts through which said at least one tension cable extends.15. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the tension cable has cabletermination and cable nut at each end of the cable, wherein eachconcrete post further comprises a steel washer plate through which thecable end extends and against which the cable nut rests.
 16. A barriersystem comprising: at least first and second rebar skeleton reinforcedconcrete posts, each reinforced concrete post comprising an in-groundanchor post portion and an above-ground post portion, wherein thein-ground anchor post has a height greater than a height of theabove-ground post portion, the above-ground post portion comprising atleast two vertically spaced conduits formed therethrough, wherein theconduits each have first and second ends, the above-ground post portionhaving a non-linearly tapered flared opening to the conduit first end; apair of vertically spaced tension cables extending between thereinforced concrete posts, the tension cables having cable terminationsat ends thereof, the tension cables extending through the conduits ofeach post; means connected to said cable terminations for anchoring thetension cables to the reinforced concrete posts at the second end ofeach conduit; and a wall panel disposed between the first and secondreinforced concrete posts through which the tension cables extend,wherein the non-linearly tapered flared openings reduce stress on thetension cables when the tension cables are displaced by an impact. 17.The barrier system of claim 16, wherein said wall panel is sufficientlyfree of being anchored to the ground such that upon engagement with thewall panel by a vehicle with sufficient force to displace the tensioncables in the direction of the impact a bottom tension cable from thepair of tension cables is displaced about the same amount as a toptension cable from the pair of tension cables.
 18. The barrier system ofclaim 16, wherein the strain relief sector is formed on only one side ofthe conduit.
 19. A method of constructing a barrier system, comprising:forming first and second reinforced concrete posts in situ, eachconcrete post having a below-ground anchor portion and an above-groundportion, the above-ground portion including at least one conduit formedtherethrough having first and second ends; connecting at least onetension cable between the posts, the tension cable extending through theconduit of each post and having a cable end secured to the post at thesecond end of each post's conduit; and after the connecting step,forming in situ a wall panel around the tension cable between the firstand second reinforced concrete posts.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the forming first and second reinforced concrete posts stepincludes the step of forming a strain relief sector formed therein atthe first end of the conduit for reducing stress on the tension cablewhen the tension cable is displaced by an impact.
 21. (canceled) 22.(canceled)
 23. (canceled)